There are many reasons for war, from the evolutionary benefit to economic competition, and social darwinists might extol the virtues of war as a natural process. Here are some of them:
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Standing
The concept of standing has been discussed throughout history, with 62 wars being triggered by it, compared with 11 wars triggered by revenge. This concept of standing is the basis of almost all modern international relations literature, yet its importance has been neglected. While standing confers influence, it is also the primary cause of wars across the centuries. To understand this concept, it is helpful to look at historical examples and consider the current state of our world.
As an example of this, we can look at the role of expanding population and scarce resources in violent conflict. We can observe that wars reduce life expectancy and increase the risk of conflict. Some countries in Africa, West Asia, Southeast Asia, Central America, and South Asia are currently undergoing a youth bulge. The issue of indivisibility occurs when two opposing parties cannot resolve their differences through negotiation or bargaining.
Revenge
Revenge is a powerful emotion and the ultimate motivation behind war. The evolutionary psychologist Michael McCullough has spent his career studying the psychology of revenge. It drives crime: 20% of all murders are motivated by the desire to exact revenge on the person or people responsible for the victim's pain and suffering. It also shapes politics - Trump's election was largely a result of working-class whites seeking revenge on a globalised economy.
The desire for revenge is a strong human instinct. The threat of widespread death and destruction, whether real or imagined, is enough to ignite the desire for revenge. Second-strike retaliation is almost guaranteed, despite the fact that a second strike will likely yield little of material or social value. Humans share a thirst for revenge, and classical economists may argue that it is irrational. Nevertheless, the psychology of hatred and the psychology of revenge makes the logic of a second strike seem plausible.
Economic competition
Various economic theories have shown that asymmetric monopolistic competition between countries leads to war. This theory has been used in a variety of fields, including economics, political science, and law, as well as international relations. The authors analyze the dynamic environment of resource trading in order to explain how a country with greater endowments can arm and attack a country with less endowment. When price-taking firms fail to internalize the effect of their actions on military action, a country with a lower endowment can capture the majority of that endowment, and a war can be predicted.
When companies compete for customers, they attempt to make their products cheaper than competitors. These companies often slash their profit margins and purchase materials at steep discounts in order to attract more customers. As a result, prices fall and products are available at lower prices than they would be under a monopoly or an oligopoly. However, this practice has its costs, as suppliers and consumers lose money when prices are lowered.
Conflict over natural resources
Conflict over natural resources is a key driver of conflict worldwide. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 40% of intrastate conflicts have a link to natural resources, and such conflicts are two to three times more likely to recur in the first five years. Moreover, exploitation of natural resources has been implicated in 18 violent conflicts. While climate change is not a cause of conflict, it is seen as a multiplier of conflict as it exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and resource scarcity. The United Nations Security Council has even recognized climate change's potential security implications.
Resource conflicts can occur internationally or within a single country. Interstate resource conflicts involve two or more states, while intrastate conflict involves one rebel movement. In fragile states, local and traditional mechanisms governing the use of natural resources and disputes can be weak or nonexistent. Nevertheless, by understanding the dynamics of resource-related conflict, we can better prevent and contain these conflicts. Taking a global perspective will help us understand how these conflict dynamics are fueled by resource availability.
