Does war work?

Question

This question is intentionally broad.

Ethical considerations aside - does war (historically speaking) typically achieve the policy goals outlined by the side that starts it?

And please don't over-generalize perceptions of current events.

This calls for a vote. Please choose wisely.

Answer 1

Of course it works!

It worked against Japanese and Nazi imperialism, didn't it? It won independence for the USA, right? It ended slavery, right?

The Communists took control of North Korea... China... Viet Nam... Angola... (the list goes on) by force, and they became communist countries, right?

You question is a cousin to "Violence never solves anything." Sadly, that is not true either. Just like war, violence is the only thing that some people do understand.

Answer 2

War, generally speaking, works quite well.
The problem however is that, historically speaking, not many of the starting sides bothered with making any "policy goals" before fighting started.
Most empires (eg Romans, Alexander, Persia) were created with a rather generous application of warfare. They also collapsed due mostly to war being waged unto them.
A good examle is Napoleon- he started with clear and concise policy goals and was extremely successful. However the goal posts kept shifting- sometimes he did it, sometimes his opponents did. In the end, war was what brought him down- so it worked (for Wellington)

If it comes to current events, fighting without one hand tied behind the back might work a great sight better than the currently fashionable (in political and brass circles) method

Answer 3

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

With regard to obvious wars that ended Nazi tyranny, Japanese Imperialism, and our own Civil War that preserved the Union, generally, for the United States, we are a force for good in the world. and with regard to that:

We know that, from our own experience as a young nation that:

"It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it."
--- General Douglas MacArthur

In war there is no prize for the runner-up.
---- General Omar Bradley

The tree of liberty must be refreshed time and time again with the bloods of patriots and tyrants" -Thomas Jefferson

To sum up, for the side that starts it:

Japan, no, their policy goals were not met:
Germany, no, their policy goals were not met:
Italy, no, their policy goals were not met:
Al Qaeda, they started it, and they are currently being exterminated, one at a time, forever, so no their policy goals will not be met, at least while George Bush is in charge.
US in Iraq - Arguably it can be said we started it, and as long as GW is in charge, we will be successful.

If you start it, and you win, then your policy goals will be met, unless in is a Pyhrric victory, but that's another story.

Answer 4

No, the question should be, "Are there other alternative to war that work?" Human nature is controlled by hatred. It is a very strong emotion and often controls our actions. In the last 20 years China could conquer the world with its massive army, navy, airforce and nukes. Ever wonder why they stay out of modern war since WW2? Ever wonder why no one messes with them?

Answer 5

Depends on the manner in which it is fought. In a gentlemans war where each side is outlined and respect is given to the enemy, I believe it is. But in more recent wars where the enemy hides and uses civilians and IED's to kill while manipulating the populace, I don't think that can really even be called war.

Answer 6

Yes it works, if a nation has the will to continue it and see it until its absolute end. It also depends on the objectives of the war, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt, it all depends on the situation.

Answer 7

It works for the time being but really does not change the hearts of men.When men can go to war then mankind has become insane.

Answer 8

War seems to only be a short term fix.. In the current war it seems to be stimulating growth of the problem. Does not work for me..

Answer 9

Well, we're no longer a colony of England, which in turn caused them to drastically change their social order.

Answer 10

War hasn't proven to work during the past, but I'm pro-war if I believe the war we're in, is ethical, which I do.