War is Peace

As far as I can remember, there has always been a conflicted between nations. I remember vaguely the news reports of the Gulf War. The conflict of Israel and Palestine has raged on for decades with no end in sight. War has become a way of life to us. Throughout time man has had the need for conflict in a large scale. Whether it is a simple need to conquer or the annihilation of a nation who worships differently, wars continue to devastate. But does war serve any other purpose than to waste human life? Nothing brings people together like war. Leaders have used the threat of an external enemy to rally their followers behind them. War tends to invoke a sense of patriotism and loyalty to their nation, their religion or their cause. Regardless of the enemy’s true motive or intent, they will always be demonised so that the war is justified. Claims that the enemy will strip all freedoms, all rights and liberties the home nation appears to enjoy (according to the propaganda anyway)


War is a useful tool for the ruler. You can invoke loyalty and pride from your followers, any misgivings about you, you can redirect to your enemy. You can also use the war to justify forcing opponents to your viewpoints to accept them, be they friend or foe. “If you’re not with us, you’re against us”