In the context of the Anniversary of the Greek Revolution, which was the motivation for the text that follows, some information - in a nutshell - can be useful regarding the key issue-problem of the war. (The issue of peace itself is a separate issue.)
The problem of war, in general, has preoccupied people since ancient times and especially the ancient Greek philosophers, and the saying of Heraclitus is known "War father of all, king of all, and has made some gods, other people, other slaves and other free" . Plato argued that war is the result of the inability of people to live within the framework of necessity. Aristotle accepted war as a legitimate tool for resolving transnational issues, but never praised it. Thucydides criticized the war, but accepted it as a means of defense. The Delphic Amfiktions forbade war between their members except in the case of justified cause.
Alexander the Great, although in Opi he promoted the value of peace and universality, but wisely and patriotically, adopted its groundbreaking strategy defensive attack because he had no other choice since the enemy was at the gates!
According to the internationally renowned American Professor Hans Morgenthau, from the 65 wars until the Second World War, 32 were due to the balance of power, 16 were civil, 15 were imperialist and only two were defensive. From the end of the Second World War until the 50s, more than 20 wars were fought due to the balance of power, imperialist tendencies and civil wars, but also due to other causes.
Wars can be classified into the following categories according to Morgenthau :
A. Psychologists: Fear e.g. feelings of national insecurity, foreign invasion, loss of property, abrupt changes, suspicions, greed, power mania, hatred, revenge, jealousy.
B. Politicians: Balance of power, secret agreements, unjust agreements, breach of agreements, disregard for minority rights, organization and preparation of the state for war, ineffective policy or policy of obstruction of the state machine.
C. Economics: Aggressive, territorial, economic imperialism, economic competition for markets, energy resources, raw materials, protection of private interests abroad without taking into account the general prosperity, disregard for the rights of underdeveloped peoples, demographic pressure, inequalities in access to barriers to customs, barriers to immigration, speculation.
D. Social and reciprocal: Extreme nationalism, competing armaments, religious and racial rivalries, general apathy, akedia and ignorance, war psychology caused by various actors such as media, cinema, books, family influences, social inequality, social ideology, war ideals.
E. Historians: Old conflicts, territorial claims, borders, redemption.
Of course, in modern times the famous "Y.eveningMr. War ", which combines various forms of intervention and influence of military developments (propaganda, economic, diplomatic, terrorist, etc. actions, refugees, etc.) and is related to the "Cold War", but this is a separate chapter.
The British historian and philosopher Alfred Whitehead argued that there is not just one cause of war but many. Many argue that violence is intertwined with human nature, that man is born violent, but others argue that man is born good, but is corrupted by the environment or forced to become violent. Marx explains war on the basis of the "class struggle."
In China, the war had political-strategic dimensions, but also spiritual and moral ones. A wide range of causes developed such as pacifism, peace, revolution, pro-war, war. Mo Ti preached the doctrine of universal love, but the Confucians were not outspoken pacifists, and while they saw war as evil, when it did, they resisted. Confucius and Mensius' disciple preached that states should maintain good faith and moderation in their relations and avoid imperialism, conquests and interference in the internal affairs of other states.
In India the Hindus - not the Buddhists - gave a higher position to the warrior class, which was more institutionalized than in China. In Islam the "holy war" (Jihad) was considered a sacred duty and a guarantee of salvation, and Muslims believed that the world was divided into the peaceful abode of the true believers (give al Islam) and in the war zone (give al war). Therefore, the Jihad was more of a crusade than a just war (bellum justrum).
In Judaism there is the paradox of human longing in a time of constant wars for peaceful coexistence, and this is because the Israelites, surrounded by hostile peoples, combined religious prophecy and military organization and preparation. However, like the Romans, they believed in “SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM"(If you want peace, prepare for war).
According to some scientists, war has been described as "The Law of Nature", but has been refuted by many examples in both human societies and animals, e.g. in human communities such as Bahais, quakers, Mormons etc. Also, war is unknown to inferior animals. Darwin's theory of the "Dominance of the Strongest" has been largely refuted, and the theory that the environment (holding system, family, education, etc.) play a more important role is constantly gaining ground. The famous Prussian Military Clausewitz defines war as "the continuation of politics by other means." Machiavelli in his famous work "The Prince" writes that "O a prince must have no other purpose or thought, nor to study anything other than war, its organization, and discipline; "
Finally, from the above we can come to some conclusions regarding the causes of war and add strength and arrogance from corruption due to power. The famous ancient Greek myth "The Ring of Gygis" is apocalyptic, as well as others such as "The Lord of the Rings" (which is probably a copy and variation of the Myth of Gygi). Finally, there is the discovery of the phenomenon on an island of millions of suicides in the sea of rats from the explosion of the electromagnetic field due to overpopulation.
The theory about "Just Wars" is of particular importance. The idea of "just wars" was developed and cultivated in ancient Rome. And before going to war, the leaders tried to convince the people of the "just and pious" (justum and pious) causes of war.
The famous Philosopher and Theologian Thomas Aquinas defined the just war according to the following conditions: 1) If it aims at defense and the restoration of peace, 2) If the cause is just, 3) If the civilians are not harmed, 4) If the means used are commensurate with the needs. Others acknowledged that war was evil, but tried to justify it as a "necessary evil." Saints Athanasius, Ambrose and Augustine argued that "the destruction of enemies in war is lawful and worthy of praise." Also, in modern times the Church does not condemn war regardless of whether Christ did it. And Tolstoy wrote that: "From the moment the Christian church gained secular power, it lost its essence." The famous Dutch humanist, politician, diplomat, etc. Hugo grotius characterizes acts of war against enemies as "justified under law and morality provided the cause was just." Lenin considers war just when it happens against an imperialist state.
At the same time, in modern times, the theory of "Total war" (totally) which according to Morgenthau occurs when the population identifies completely with their feelings and beliefs about the wars against their nation, participates in the war, is affected by the war, and believes in the purpose for which the war is aimed.
Communists like Marx, Engels, Lenin, agree with him Clausewitz that "war is a continuation of politics by other means", and different forms of war are distinguished, e.g. imperialist, revolutionary, struggles for freedom. They also do not believe that wars are inherent in human nature, but when capitalism is ended and the proletarian state is established, then the wars will disappear.
Defenders of war, warlords like Hegel, Nietzsche, Treitschke, Spruce, Bernhardi they embellished the war as an end in themselves. In fact, the Nietzsche proclaimed that "God is dead." There were also anarchists in the East, such as Bakunin and Nechaev, who were devotees of violence and war, and in the West the Malatesta and Sorel. But other Western anarchists like Thoreau and Tucker in America, they were against violence and preferred non-violent "political disobedience." The first anarchists in America were Warren, publisher of "Peaceful Revolutionary"The Peaceful Revolutionist”, As well as Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson. Definitely, the most influential pacifist anarchists were Gaddy and Tolstoy. Gaddy taught her theory of Nonviolence from its Buddhist doctrine AHIMSA (no harm to living creatures), but also from Tolstoy with whom he corresponded. But he differentiated it in his country.
The Social Contract (Lids, Rousseau) was a very important milestone in the effort for peaceful coexistence of states.
Between 1581 and 1864, 291 international agreements were signed on the protection of the wounded, sick, etc. during wars, as well as later the Geneva Conventions in 1864 and later on various civilian issues, etc. Also, the Declaration of Paris in 1856 limited the naval war, as well as the Declaration of St. Petersburg and the Hague Conventions in 1989 and 1900 as other similar actions took care of the wounded, civilians, neutrals, hostages, chemical and biological weapons. λπ., but not to end wars.
The League of Nations in 1920, after the tragedy of the AIPP, laid the foundations for the peaceful coexistence and cooperation of the states. And for the first time in 1928 the Foreign Ministers of America and France Kellogg and Briand suggested (Kellogg Briand Pact) the prohibition of war, to outlaw war (to outlaw war), but to no avail because in the meantime arms producers and traders had developed into a state within a state! (Historically, the first act of prohibition of war was made in 1280 BC by the Egyptians and Hittites).
Efforts continued at the UN, after the greatest war tragedy, which cost about 80 million dead, and the Charter provides for the defense of peace, the avoidance of war, etc., but does not explicitly prohibit war. The famous one Peace Guide (Events for Peace) of the late Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in 1992 enacted concrete measures to prevent and deter wars and consolidate peace, which if implemented would not have perpetuated war tragedies, but remained on the shelves of indifference, cynicism and lawlessness. strong interests etc. Of course, international agreements have been reached, etc. on the limitation of armaments, the banning of chemical and biological weapons, etc., but these are "aspirins". Also, international days are observed, such as the International Day of Peace, which coincides with the beginning of the work of the General Assembly, and which offer the opportunity for reflection and related activities, but again without substantial result. And people are wondering: How can huge weapon systems be transported in a few days or weeks, etc.? on the other side of the world for manslaughter, wasting billions, and it is not possible to transport essentials, medicines, etc. to eradicate hunger, poverty, epidemics, etc., as well as know-how for the development and prosperity of the world?
And panting, with various tragedies continuing under the indifferent gaze of the Strong, etc., we reached the invisible "war" of the corona virus, with millions of human casualties, but the akedia, the incoherence, the speculative, etc. competition in red. And while the UN with its 30 Organizations could, if effectively strengthened institutionally and financially, solve all global problems, it is ignored and undermined by the "known-unknown" circuits of power mania and materialistic insanity. So which culture (salesmanship would it suit) and which democracy (democracy would it suit)?
Proof of the incompetence of states and international Organizations and Organizations is, in addition to the dramatic environmental problems that mark the catastrophic course of Planet Earth, the current vicious cycle of perpetuating global conflicts, especially in our wider region. regime devalues peace, international organizations, international conventions, international law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, etc. under the watchful eye of old and / or new Pilate and Pharisees. The weapons shape, to a large extent, the international relations! Justification of Darwin and the extreme warlord anarchists, etc.? Will only the "balance of terror" due to nuclear weapons save the situation? In the meantime, the murderous competition of weapons, etc. will continue. having people lost their value in the face of guns and wars? "QUINTILLA PRUDENTIA REGITUR ORBIS"(With how little wisdom the world is governed) said ancient Latin Philosophers. What do modern leaders say? "Φάγωμεν, πίωμεν, αύριον γαρ…";
Definitely (we have stated it before) the world-wide system of fierce competition (not rivalry advocated by our ancient Philosophers and it is the most humane) is the one responsible for the general devaluation of people and genuine democratic institutions and the transformation of human society. in HUMAN MINE, where some privileged, according to Demosthenes, "strangely happy" instead of coal mines people and exploits them. Should we, therefore, adopt a new theory, in relation to that of Heraclitus "War of the Father of All", which represents the Peace Mother of All, and to marry them so that the METRON can preside, and to establish peaceful "war" in the sense of fighting at their roots, terrorism, injustice, unworthiness, hunger, poverty, refugees, environmental pollution and all the other afflictions that plague humanity, a very important human endeavor, which, however, for to be implemented effectively the armaments and the trillions that are wasted on them must be disposed of for the above purposes so that we can talk about genuine culture and genuine democracy. And ensures famous «SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM» to transformed on SI VIS PACEM PARA PACEM! (If you want peace, prepare for peace!) "Here is Rhodes", here is the brave leap that the world leaders must make, political and religious, to save our sacred Planet! If they continue the inhuman, horrible war-torn trope, then they will be co-responsible for the nightmare-killing Armageddon.
PI Karafotias Former Managing Director of the UN Office for Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Professor of International Relations, author
