An Analysis of War
Journal Title: Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities - Year 2014, Vol 1, Issue 4
Abstract
There are many reasons why war begins to occur around the world and all throughout our long history. From the time of war between Athens and Sparta to the end of the Cold War, plus future conflicts thereafter into the present, we can start with understanding the concept of war and how it evolves. Sometimes there are no explanations for war, and the theories as to why it even happens vary, but the themes are all universal. Much of the motivation behind it lies in the quest for power by one country not already satisfied with what it has, and that country might feel compelled to find a way to gain more. The defensive mechanism for this can be the fear and paranoia that another country sees when a neighbor starts to build a wall around itself for safety purposes. Therefore, the defensive maneuver by a particular rival can be seen as an offensive threat by the other and might use this excuse to arm itself. Thus, we have some of the key point as to the threat of war. Realism reveals to us that the threat of war is a result of a natural state that runs within the hearts of many a man, which can be a plausible argument, for as Thucydides has explained, the growth of war is inevitable as Athenian power seemed to grow more and more. Sparta and Athens were ultimate rivals, and the fear of resistance made Sparta all the more paranoid. “What makes war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta” (Thucydides 1972, 49). There were mainly three reasons why Athens felt it necessary to go to war, which were security, prosperity, and prestige. The struggle included the concept of who would have the most power (49). Athens made many other nations nervous because of its rapid expansion and its alliances, and no one wanted to disturb them. It was a model society that made others covet what it had. There were also many conflicts between oligarchs and democrats. The type of power Athens had was less obvious from the outside. The Athenian Navy engaged a great deal with other countries, especially the surrounding ones, and it was inland to some extent, but also not far from the sea. Athens was not as vulnerable as some other nearby citystates for a period of time, though it still faced formidable challenges from Sparta and eventually the Persian onslaught (Thucydides 1972, 49). Athens also became a considerable hegemon in the region for awhile, though this also gradually came to an end. It was in Athens’ character to utilize the Long Walls to its defensive advantage, which protected the city-state. Pericles, one of its leaders, saw himself as a natural ruler and did not want to be displaced, for he feared this greatly (Thucydides 1972, 49). The decree for war was an economic sanction, and Megara was the target. Athens also built up its Navy over time, which it utilizes to invade Sicily and extend its empire. This was in their national character. They could have prevented war, but this was not prudent, and nothing could protect against the Spartan army anyway (49). If Sicily had not existed, there probably would not have been a war in the first place, or at least Athens would have had less motivation to actively invade the island and go across the sea.
Authors and Affiliations
Howard C. Smith, Pine Bluff, Frank Fuller
Keywords
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