Warfare is defined as “the engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict” [1]. Today, warfare is used to resolve international conflicts. Without it, due to the fact that nations don’t necessarily always compromise, there would be no possible way of living in a “peaceful” society. And although warfare does present obvious consequences (as I will discuss later on), the reality of the situation is that warfare, unfortunately, is a necessary part of life. Without it, the human race would cease to exist. With it being such an important part of humanity, it would be reasonable to conclude that the way wars are fought, will never change. But, wars have changed tremendously throughout time. Ever since World War I, modern warfare, …show more content…
With the use of new concepts, strategies, and technology, warfare has resulted in quicker and more effective deaths. As once put, "at least 10 percent of deaths in modern civilization can be attributed directly or indirectly to war"[3]. This, in a way, is beneficial in the sense that it allows countries to defeat their enemies faster. But, on the other hand, it also favors opposing countries as well. Opposing countries could attack faster and more easily also (since modern warfare techniques are global and not just limited to one country). Presently, many countries possess tanks, airplanes, and nuclear weapons which are a threat to all of humanity. Notably, deaths and war in general are not perceived as a beneficial thing and therefore should not be enhanced nor encouraged. Having said this, if technology influences war (and improves the way wars are fought), it should automatically be labeled as a negative aspect. However, as previously mentioned, warfare is a necessity in life. Modern warfare is beneficial in terms of progress, but a disadvantage when realizing what it promotes: more …show more content…
Now, wars more expensive then they have ever been. Since modern wars require the use of new technology and equipment, which costs a lot of money, nations have to find a way to pay for all their expenses. Because of the high price of war, countries would have to go through drastic measures, such as raise taxes, in order to pay for such an event. Raising taxes, however, negatively impacts the economy as it lowers individual wages. With lower wages, people can’t afford to buy products or feed their families. Raising taxes also increases the price of goods. With low wages and an increased price of products, people are forced into poverty. With high poverty, comes a high crime rate (as individuals would have to commit crimes in order to survive in such an environment) which is a serious drawback. Another way to possibly pay for the cost of war would be to borrow money. But this is not an alternative though due to the fact that it would increase national debt. National debt is already at an all-time high (at 18 trillion dollars) and therefore, should not be increased any further. A third possible “solution” to pay for the expenses of modern warfare would be to print more money. This however, causes inflation and the “major effect of inflation is that a nation 's nominal currency loses value”
In the novel, My Brother Sam is Dead, by James and Christopher Collier, they teach that there are many other ways to solve conflict besides war. War is violent, disgusting, and gruesome and so many people die in war. Families separate in war because of how many people want to be in the thrill of the war and also how many innocent family members die in the midst of war. Lastly, war is worthless and it was caused by a disagreement over something little and the outcome of war is not worth the many lives, time, and money and there are other ways to solve conflict besides to fight. War causes so many negative outcomes on this world that it needs to be avoided at all costs.
What is war? Is war a place to kill? Or is it a place where something more than just killing happens? War, as defined by the Merriam Webster is “a state or period of usually open and declared fighting between states or nations.” War, can also be viewed with romantic ideals where heroes and legends are born. Even the most intelligent of us hold some rather naïve notions of war. Upon reading Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five, intelligent readers have been divested of any romantic notions regarding war they may have harboured.
Nothing can impact society like war. War can be viewed as noble and just, or cruel and inhuman, as well as everything in between. War affects everyone in society whether they are fighting in a foreign country or waiting at home for a loved one to return. War is an indispensable part of civilization; found at every chapter of human history. It is the culmination of the basic survival instinct when provoked. As has the technique of battle; society's view on war has changed as well. Today the act of war has become almost shameful, whereas in earlier eras war was glorified and heroic. American society's view on war has changed also. Our history, even as a young country has seen a great deal of conflict.
War does have some major downsides to it. The people of the country has to sustain a toll for going to war. During World War II, American citizens’ living standards lowered. Americans had to ration food since normal living necessities wasn’t distributed among the public. Most of all the production happening at factories was to support the war cause and extremely little consumer goods were made. Citizens had to make due with basic utensils that weren’t up to date at all. Some families that were well off had enough food to eat, but the majority had to start growing their own food. Horwitz and McPhillips article supports this when they point out how Americans had to live lives of lower quality as a result from “reduced quality, quantity, and variety of products available” (9). Also in the book War is a force that gives us meaning written by Chris Hedges, he claims that “In wartime the states seeks to destroy its own culture … exterminate the culture of its opponents” (62). By this Hedges mean that war causes a country to build up significant levels of nationalism, or the belief that our nation is superior and just. We neglect our true selves and go into a state of mind in which war can be fought in. We have to make ourselves seem like the good guys, and reduce our enemies to mere objects. By doing so only then can we go to war with them. Even with these arguments, war is
Some americans say that nations hinge on each other, while others say they also compete with one another. This gives rise to rivalry, which sometimes leads to war. Some wars emerge from differentiation in race, religion and culture. Due to the evolution of technology in an accelerated pace, highly sophisticated weapons are now available for use in wars. Wars also bring about widespread destruction, disrupt communication and hamper commerce. Thus, they cause heavy financial loss and great suffering to people. The effects of wars often affect countries that are not involved in the conflict. The threat of war can pressure a nation to waste immense amounts of money on defense instead of spending on developmental works like creating roads, hospitals, schools, and much more. War can halt a countries development. Some countries try to achieve political desires by using terrorism as a weapon against other countries. Terrorism spreads fear in civilians through acts of violence like killings and hostages. This intimidation has transformed into worldwide threat.
Advancements in technology and science contributed to one of the most gory and bloodiest wars in the annals of human existence. These new technological advancements revolutionized how people regarded war. War was no longer where the opposite forces fought in a coordinated battle. War evolved into a game of cunning strategy where the side with the bigger, more powerful, and smarter toys played better. This led to a fierce competition where each side tried to create the smarter machines and better weapons, leading to deadly mass killing weapons in the process.
By attacking Iraq, the United States has shown that they are no better than the villain Saddam Hussein. The assaults on Iraq were criminal and wicked acts while they were also unjust and unnecessary.
“In July 1945, the first atomic bomb was tested in New Mexico and the next month the second and third weapons off the production line were dropped on Japan. Since then no nuclear weapons have been used in anger, although tens of thousands have been accumulated by the major powers and their destructiveness and sophistication increased immensely.” The nature of warfare is constant and evolved from multiple factors and military revolutions over time. The purpose of this paper is to identify the most important military revolution in history and highlight its effects that permeate modern day society. The proliferation of nuclear weapons is the most significant military revolution that led to the greatest changes in warfare, which include the immergence of new threats such as non-state actors, the shift from total war to low intensity conflict, and the importance of technology and innovation. This military revolution completely shattered existing paradigms of warfare due to the real threat of nuclear weapons’ total destruction of humanity.
Every day we are surrounded by stories of war. In fact, we have become so accustomed to it, that we are now entertained by it. Video games, movies, and books filled with heroes who once dominated the battlefields. However it is constantly stated, “no good comes from war.” Even famous songs state “war... what is it good for… absolutely nothing.” But what if war was actually necessary? Throughout history, we see examples of the good things wars have brought. War has freed slaves, modernized medicine, brought down evil empires, and even brought countries together
It seems since that dawn of the era of man we have always been in competition with one another. We have fought countless wars over every issue imaginable, with many great civilizations being founded and destroyed by war. Though with each new conflict comes newer and better technology. Technology is what drives civilizations forward, but it can also lead to its downfall. It is fascinating see how much technology has evolved over history, and how we have incorporated these innovations into newer technology. In past century technology has seen its greatest leap forward. This is in large part due to the two major World Wars that plagued the early part of the 20th century. (Koch p.122)
War has always been, and will always be, a necessary action perpetrated by man. There are many reasons for war: rage, passion, greed, defense, and religion to name a few. When differences cannot be solved or compromised through mediation with an opposing party, war is the last remaining option. Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun wrote in fourteenth-century Spain, that “War is a universal and inevitable aspect of life, ordained by God to the same extent as the sky and the earth, the heat and the cold. The question of whether to fright is not a significant moral question because fighting is constant; the minor decision not to fight this war will be made only in the context of knowing that another war will present itself soon enough because it is simply always there.” (Peter S. Themes. The Just War)
One thing obviously has not changed: war is still an ongoing part of the life of a nation. The United States especially has been involved in so many wars and conflicts from its formation that one begins to wonder whether it has become embedded in American society. According to Sun Tzu, “Warfare is the greatest affair of state, the basis of life and death, the Way (Tao) to survival or extinction. It must be thoroughly pondered and analyzed”. Sun Tzu stated that there are five factors to take into account when considering who will come out of a conflict victorious. These are: The Tao, Heaven, Earth, the generals and the laws for military organization and discipline. These five overarching themes f...
Technology changes every day, sometimes the events in our life shape what new technology we use. You would have to be living in a hole not know that we are in conflict with Iraq, and this event has changed digital warfare.
For years, technology has been cultivated. Powerful and ingenious it may be, but in our hands this technology has been used for demoralizing war! If we carry on using these technological advancements for the use of hostilities on Earth (or maybe in space) then both parties will use their own weapons and both will be crushed, ground into tiny pieces and blasted into oblivion. As the saying goes?Those that rule by the blade, will fall by the blade? ....
War has been around for centuries. From the time modern civilizations began, war has played an integral part in human history. It shaped the world into the modern world we live in. War has been said to be a great motivator, for example, the Great Wall of China was built to fend off the attackers from the north. However, the negative aspects of war far outweighs any positive effects it might have. The destruction of civilizations, cities and countries, mass killings of men, woman and children alike, the disastrous effect it has on economy and the after effects of war can last for centuries.