What is the root of war?

Question

When you get down to it, what is the REAL root of all wars? Religion, politics, oil (natural resources), or dare I say human ego?

Answer 1

MONEY

Answer 2

All of the above.

Human ego, well, it's pretty much obvious. There will always be people who want to prove themselves better than others, and at the head-of-state level, it can mean war.

Natural ressources and real estate, that's been the cause of many a war by itself. Germany in WW2 is a prime example of that, say, with Hitler saying "We need breating room!". The roman conquests are also a good example.

Religion, that's a sticky one. The First Crusade was partially motivated by religion, but there are other reasons to it. The subsequent ones, under the guise of "reclaiming hte Holy Land" were thinly disguised reasons to kill, maim, rape and pillage while sanctionned by the Church.

Politics, that's always a big one. One of the reasons behind the First Crusade was because European inheritance customs had changed, and now there were lots of second and subsequent sons with no inheritance. So, with this large number of knights and lordlings, many with their own personal armies, causing trouble. However, they couldn't just disarm them all, since that would leave the whole area almost defenseless. So, to get them out of the hair of the people back home, they were sent eastwards for glory and war. That way, they would keep thier skill sharp, get to fight, and just no longer be a nuisance at home.

But in the end, there are more reasons than you can shake a stick at.

Answer 3

Religion

Answer 4

"Wars" have been around since mankind. I suppose it started when Cain slew Able, a "Mini-War" had been brewing between the two for decades until one smashed the other. There are too-many reason's to list the actual cause of war. Some may have religious beliefs as the cause, others political beliefs, and yet others, just plain hatred. Too-many reasons to list here. I know this though, War breaks men's soul's, makes them cold around the heart, and gives them a callous outlook on mankind. Such atrocities occur during war, yet it is inevitable for us as human beings to fight in them. Even the animals have wars. The only thing that separates us is the ability to reason, yet we continue to fight still. Trying to come up with a rational answer to the question of "Why" wars are fought is futile. It's just the nature of the beast, a primordial compulsion. Just my opinion of course.1st. Sgt., 7th Special Forces, (Ret.) Vietnam, "67"-"70"

Answer 5

The real root is Deism (the belief in a deity).

All religious people are taught that their religion is the right one and all the others are wrong. This creates a superiority mindset and with that comes the belief that they should control things. When several groups believe they alone should be in control of things, this leads to war. It is the root of ALL wars.

Answer 6

In WW2 it was human ego. We were too forward with the Axis Powers. Im sure if we held a open-minded dialogue with them we would have been able to avoid any kind of useless killing of Axis soldiers who were only tryng to prevent the evil US from taking over Europe!

/jim w talking points off

Answer 7

Greed, lust for power, money, fear, dreams of domination, natural resouces, religion, mental instability the list id endless. Wars have been fought over even the most trivial things.

Answer 8

Man

Answer 9

Money. Everything else is just smoke and mirrors to distract you and me from seeing the root of all wars.

Answer 10

All of the above.
Clerics use religion to gain power and prominence.
some use politics to get rich and have oil.
Most is a power struggle like king of the mountain.

Answer 11

hubris (pride), avarice (greed), lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth

You may recognize these as the 7 deadly sins.

So religion, or lack thereof, is the cause of war.