what is a war of choice, or elective war? Can you give examples?

Question

coragryph....if its not then what is it?
Stop crapping around. If its not an elective war,what is it?

Answer 1

It depends upon whom you ask. For many, anything that is not strictly a war of defense in an elective war. Indeed, I think most would make that argument.

But that said, those who define "defensive" war might have different answers. Many would say nothing short of an actual attack by a constituted military of an enemy would count. Some others would extend a defensive as to an attack, irrespective of its nature. Still others would say that any threat to one's security constitutes a defensive war.

The slippage comes in this last category, I believe. Hitler justified the invasion of Czechoslovakia and later Poland on the grounds that there were direct threats to German citizens and to Germany's security. A "pre-emptive" war was thus necessary to "stop" the threat.

Does that sound familiar?

Answer 2

It is a saying used to describe the war in Iraq. The war on terror could have ended with the invasion of Afghanistan, and an attempt to create a democracy there. Any time some country chooses to launch an attack, it is a "war of choice" for that country and a war of self defense for the attacked country. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, when they could have invaded Indochina and just hoped the US would stay neutral, as the US was doing regarding Japan & Germany's previous attacks. Germany Invaded Russia, when it had an alliance with them and hadn't finished off Britain yet. Sometimes countries bring more **** on themselves when in hindsight they should not have done it. But the war for independence could also be called a war of choice, the colonists could have revolted or not.

Answer 3

An elective war (aka a "war of choice") is one that is not necessary or inevitable, nor one that is fought in self-defense -- but is instead chosen and preemptive based on some political goal.

Most invasions are elective wars -- Germany's invasion of Poland and the US invasion of Iraq (in 2002) being examples of elective conflicts. However, the US invasion of Iraq is not an elective "war" because Congress never declared war.

Answer 4

war of choice: The daily battle I fight with my wife over the TV remote.

elective war: Another name for freshman registration day.

Answer 5

We didn't need to attack Iraq, we did so because we wanted to jack up the price of a barrel of oil. That was one we elected to fight.