why do countries go to war?

Answer 1

There is no single, all-inclusive answer as to why nations war with each other. We cannot even say that the participants always seek "advantage", which seems almost a no-brainer. The United States, for example, did not begin participation in the Second World War out of an intended "advantage", but rather to stop the disadvantage that would result from not fighting the Japanese. The U.S. would (1941-1945) expend a lot of resources and human lives without any gain in land or resources. So there was no advantage, but the stiffling of the perceived disadvantage.

In democracies it works differently than in non-democracies, but not so much as we'd like to think. In both democratic and non-democratic nations public opinion is moulded for war. The slight difference with liberal democracies is in their need to maintain popular support for a war. If they don't, they simply elect lawmakers who change the war policy. (That, by the way, may be happening right now with the US elections regarding the conflict in Iraq.)

It used to be (centuries ago) that the entity that started the war believed there was some advantage in winning. But now, in the age of TV media and public relations, "winning" is not so clean cut. A nation can "win", and then incur the derision of the world community, which is a compromised victory, to say the least.

Whatever happens, we cannot discount the fact that, just because it is a nation is proceeding to war does not mean the war is intelligent or wise or well-considered. In fact, all wars are, at least to some extent, unwise for at least one of the participants; and in all wars all participants suffer greatly. War is inherently hellish and barbaric, and there is no way to ever change that.

War is inconsistent with Western democratic ideals. In fact, militarism itself is entirely inconsistent with the philosophy of liberal democracy. Wars and militaries are authoritarian (people give orders and people take orders, and there is no democracy in militarism). Yet, as we see, militarism is being used to promote democracy (currently in Iraq). Cultures of the muslim Middle East often have misgivings about democracy; many see it as something alien and irreligious. In Islam, the government and the religious structures are not separate; there is no "separation of church and state," as we have in the U.S. Efforts to instill democracy are not going to succeed. (Though the United States imagines itself benevolent in trying to make it succeed.)

Never underestimate the stupidity, the folly, the fatuity of which government is capable! So long as nation-states believe in the sacrifice of individuals (the death penalty, etc.), they will agree to their sacrifice in war. Countries go to war because of an inadequate estimation of the dignity and inviolability of the human individual. Thus the advancement of human rights is the only way out.

Answer 2

Man is a social animal. War is simply organized, socialized violence. Violence is a basic tool of every beast, however simple or sophisticated, because violence is a very successful behavior. Asking why we engage in mass violence against one another is like asking why we breathe, or eat, or reproduce.

The question has spawned an entire field of political science called "conflict studies". Check out:

http://www.gmu.edu/academic/pcs/

One leading theory, in recent decades, has been, Democratic Peace Theory. Try reading the wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_peace_theory

Take it, as with anything on wikipedia, with a huge grain of salt, as Wikipedia is edited by users and often has major inaccuracies.

Establishing statistical correlation is quite different from explaining cause and effect in the social sciences, however, the major correlations with frequency of war between states since 1800 are (in no significant order):

1. Geography- Countries that are neighbors are more likely to go to war.
2. Ideological differences-differences between regime types is a very strong predictor.
3. Cultural (to include religion)differences
4. Trade- Counter to ones intuition, and what we always hear from politicians and journalists, having economic ties and trade that are strong and increasing, is actually correlated with belligerence. The reasons behind this are complex and much debated.

Answer 3

It usually starts of with a very agressive act from a country which provokes the recipient country to declare war on the country for national security reasons. That is the most basic explanation.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

1 Greed 2. Religion.3 Oil.

Answer 6

Money,

War is all abou money, generally when he markets are flat, war increases the demand of natural resources and creates jobs.
Bring Money into th Country.

Answer 7

Hi, because unfortunately shouting doesn't have the same affect. I hate the fact that our soldiers are sent to other country's to fight their wars (that will only happen again and again when the soldiers leave!) just to get killed. My heart is 100% with all the soldiers families, God bless you all. Lots of love and hugs Hayley-May

Answer 8

war is a continuation of politics by other means

Answer 9

to fight for what is right or a misguided case of what they feel is right and and is ultimately wrong in many cases. take iraq for example

the old lie 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori'

Answer 10

Three reasons:
1. Money
2. Money
3. Oil (Money)