UNIT 1. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF WE LIVED IN A WORLD OF NON-VIOLENCE?

WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER

The word “war” means a state of open and usually declared armed conflict between political entities such
as sovereign states or between rival political or social factions within the same state. Throughout history,
individuals, states, or political factions have gained sovereignty over regions through the use of war.

War grows naturally out of the tribe mentality. A tribe is a society tracing its origin back to a single
ancestor, who may be a real person, or even a god: they usually view outsiders as dangerous and conflict
against them as normal. The tribe mentality results in a dichotomy of an “us” vs. a “them” and engenders
a latent fear of the “other” whose culture is at odds with, or at least different from, one's own. This fear,
coupled with a desire to expand, or protect, necessary resources, often results in war.

War has been an important factor in creating states and empires throughout history and, equally so, in
destroying them. Major advances in science, technology, and engineering have been brought about
through necessity during times of war. The increasing development of military tactics and geographical
obstacles necessitated a corps of engineers as a regular part of any army. The armies of Alexander the
Great and of Rome are well known for their use of engineers in warfare.

There is no doubt that war is an evil one. It is the greatest catastrophe that can befall human beings. It
brings death and destruction, merciless slaughter and butchery, disease and starvation, poverty and ruin.
A particularly disturbing side of modern wars is that they tend to become global so that they may engulf
the entire world. There are, doubtless, people who consider war as something grand and heroic and
regard it as something that bring out the best man. But this does not in any way alter the fact that war is
terrible and dreadful.

We have had wars of all types - wars lasting for a year or so and a war lasting for hundred years. In view
of this it seems futile to talk of permanent, everlasting peace or to make plans of the establishment of
eternal peace.

After the great war of 1914-18 some thought that there would be no war for a long time and the
institution called the League of Nations was founded as a safeguard agent against the outbreak of war.
The Second World War however, proved that to think of an unbroken peace’s to be unrealistic and that
no institution or assembly can ever ensure peace.

It also appears that if peace were to continue for a long period, people would become sick of the
monotony of peace. Man is a highly dynamic creature and it seems that he cannot remain contented
merely with works of peace - cultivations of arts, development of modern comforts, extension of
knowledge etc. He wants something thrilling and full of excitement and he fights in order to get an
outlet for his accumulated energy. Some think that war has its good side - it spurs men to heroism and
self- sacrifice.

UNIT 1. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF WE LIVED IN A WORLD OF NON-VIOLENCE?

The word “war” means a state of open and usually declared armed conflict between political entities such
as sovereign states or between rival political or social factions within the same state. Throughout history,
individuals, states, or political factions have gained sovereignty over regions through the use of war.

War grows naturally out of the tribe mentality. A tribe is a society tracing its origin back to a single
ancestor, who may be a real person, or even a god: they usually view outsiders as dangerous and conflict
against them as normal. The tribe mentality results in a dichotomy of an “us” vs. a “them” and engenders
a latent fear of the “other” whose culture is at odds with, or at least different from, one's own. This fear,
coupled with a desire to expand, or protect, necessary resources, often results in war.

War has been an important factor in creating states and empires throughout history and, equally so, in
destroying them. Major advances in science, technology, and engineering have been brought about
through necessity during times of war. The increasing development of military tactics and geographical
obstacles necessitated a corps of engineers as a regular part of any army. The armies of Alexander the
Great and of Rome are well known for their use of engineers in warfare.

There is no doubt that war is an evil one. It is the greatest catastrophe that can befall human beings. It
brings death and destruction, merciless slaughter and butchery, disease and starvation, poverty and ruin.
A particularly disturbing side of modern wars is that they tend to become global so that they may engulf
the entire world. There are, doubtless, people who consider war as something grand and heroic and
regard it as something that bring out the best man. But this does not in any way alter the fact that war is
terrible and dreadful.

We have had wars of all types - wars lasting for a year or so and a war lasting for hundred years. In view
of this it seems futile to talk of permanent, everlasting peace or to make plans of the establishment of
eternal peace.

After the great war of 1914-18 some thought that there would be no war for a long time and the
institution called the League of Nations was founded as a safeguard agent against the outbreak of war.
The Second World War however, proved that to think of an unbroken peace’s to be unrealistic and that
no institution or assembly can ever ensure peace.

It also appears that if peace were to continue for a long period, people would become sick of the
monotony of peace. Man is a highly dynamic creature and it seems that he cannot remain contented
merely with works of peace - cultivations of arts, development of modern comforts, extension of
knowledge etc. He wants something thrilling and full of excitement and he fights in order to get an
outlet for his accumulated energy. Some think that war has its good side - it spurs men to heroism and
self- sacrifice.

Wars break out for various reasons. There are wars between countries or nations and within the nation.
The latter is generally known as a civil war and can occur as a result of differences based on race,
religion, socio-economic dissatisfaction among others. Whether wars are waged between countries
(interstate) or inside the country between different sections of the communities, the effects are very
damaging.

According to experts, the main reasons or factors that contribute to wars are human greed for wealth and
intolerance towards the other. The effects of war are both physical and psychological. Human societies
are deeply affected by wars as residential areas, public infrastructure, hospitals and the very basis of
human existence are destroyed. The Japanese only surrendered when the unconventional weapons or
better known as nuclear weapons were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki which took thousands of lives
and exposed to radiation thousands of people.

Wars bring untold miseries as well as political and economic instability. People's lives and daily existence
come under threat. It would be difficult to find jobs or live our normal day-to-day existence. Populations
are displaced and have to constantly move about for security.

Thus, humans must avoid wars at all cost. The only way we can protect our lives and ensure stability in
our country is to practice tolerance and respect for each otter. Or we too would become extinct like the
dinosaurs!

Flipping through the channels on TV, we are most likely to run over the news of a war going somewhere
in the world. We have got so used to the image of people being massacred, murdered, and killed in front
of our eyes. Children are growing up with the fact that the best way to resolve a problem is to simply go
to war. War and violence are making our society crumbled.

It may be claimed that wars can be necessary for political gains, but wars create health problemsSome
claim that wars are necessary to improve technology with competition, but competition becomes over
humanity. Some claim that war speeds up technology. It is also asserted that wars result in important
developments because people want to win any war, so they must improve their science. However, wars
are very harmful for science and technology because they destroy them at the same time.

In conclusion, wars are not necessary because they result in loss of confidence, economic depression,
health problems and aggressive competition.