Most wars are not fought over shortages of resources such as food and water, but rather over conquest, revenge, and ideology.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Wars have economies. And I don't mean financial economies, although that's often part of it. Why do people continue fighting these wars? There are financial incentives.
Some wars have been due to the lust of rulers for power and glory, or to revenge to wipe out the humiliation of a former defeat.
Wars are, of course, as a rule to be avoided; but they are far better than certain kinds of peace.
Almost all wars, perhaps all, are trade wars connected with some material interest. They are always disguised as sacred wars, made in the name of God, or civilization or progress. But all of them, or almost all of the wars, have been trade wars.
Most wars, after all, present themselves as humanitarian endeavors to help people.
Wars don't happen on battlefields; they go on happening in people's hearts for generations and generations, and the ecological damage is unfathomably complex and dire.
Often, the pretexts for starting a war are not real shortages of land, food or fuel, but rather perceptions - like fear, honor and perceived self-interest.
Wars are expensive and dangerous. They're not political winners.
The strength of a civilization is not measured by its ability to fight wars, but rather by its ability to prevent them.
War is usually fought over diminishing resources, particulary those that we perceive to be extremely valuable.