The Politics of War and Peace and Politics

The Enduring Dialectic: Navigating the Politics of War and Peace

The relationship between Politics, War and Peace is perhaps the most ancient and persistent inquiry in political philosophy. From the earliest city-states to modern global powers, the fundamental purpose of Government and the very nature of the State have been inextricably linked to the management of conflict and the pursuit of harmony. This article delves into the philosophical underpinnings of this complex interplay, drawing from the profound insights of the Great Books of the Western World to illuminate how political thought has grappled with humanity's most violent tendencies and its highest aspirations for collective tranquility.

The Genesis of the State: Escaping the State of War

Philosophers have long pondered the origins of the State and the necessity of Government. For many, the very act of forming a political community is a direct response to the inherent insecurity of a pre-political existence, often characterized as a "state of war."

Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan: Hobbes famously posited that in the absence of a sovereign power, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." This "war of all against all" (bellum omnium contra omnes) is not merely outright fighting but a constant disposition to conflict. The State, through its absolute Government, is thus conceived as the sole bulwark against chaos, sacrificing individual liberties for collective Peace and security. The social contract, for Hobbes, is a desperate bargain for survival.
John Locke's Two Treatises of Government: While less pessimistic than Hobbes, Locke also recognized the potential for conflict in the state of nature due to the lack of an impartial judge. Individuals enter into civil society, forming a Government, to protect their natural rights, especially property, and to establish a common authority to resolve disputes peacefully, thereby preventing a descent into War.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's The Social Contract: Rousseau, too, saw the need for a social contract, but emphasized the collective will and general good. For him, true Peace and freedom are found not in submission to an external authority, but in participation in a Government that expresses the common interest, guarding against both internal strife and external aggression.

These foundational texts underscore a shared understanding: the primary function of Politics and the establishment of a State is to move humanity from a condition of potential or actual War to one of ordered Peace.

Power, Morality, and the Realities of Conflict

While the aspiration for Peace is central, the practicalities of Politics often involve the stark realities of power and the difficult choices faced by the Government in managing the State's interests.

Machiavelli's Pragmatic Approach

Niccolò Machiavelli, in The Prince, offers a chillingly pragmatic view of Politics, particularly concerning War and Peace. For Machiavelli, the ruler must understand that the preservation of the State is the highest virtue, and sometimes, this demands actions that would be considered immoral in private life. The prince must learn "how not to be good" if the situation demands it, and be prepared for War as a constant possibility. Peace, in this view, is often a temporary state, a strategic lull before the next inevitable conflict. The Government's primary duty is to ensure the State's survival and strength, often through cunning and force.

Thucydides and the Melian Dialogue

The ancient Greek historian Thucydides, in his History of the Peloponnesian War, provides an enduring lesson in realpolitik. The Melian Dialogue starkly illustrates the brutal logic of power: "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." This exchange between the Athenians and the Melians demonstrates that in international Politics, particularly concerning War and Peace, moral arguments often yield to strategic imperatives and the raw exercise of power by the State. For Thucydides, War is an inherent part of human affairs, driven by fear, honor, and interest, and Government must navigate these forces.

The Pursuit of Justice and Perpetual Peace

Beyond the pragmatic, philosophers have also envisioned ideal States and mechanisms for achieving lasting Peace.

Plato and Aristotle: Justice as the Foundation of Peace

For Plato, in The Republic, a just State is one where each part (the individual and the social classes) performs its proper function, leading to internal harmony. Such a Government, guided by wisdom, would naturally foster Peace both within its borders and in its relations with others. Aristotle, in his Politics, similarly argued that the best form of Government is one that promotes the good life for its citizens, which inherently includes stability and the avoidance of unnecessary War. Justice, for both, is the bedrock upon which genuine and lasting Peace can be built.

Kant's Vision for Perpetual Peace

Immanuel Kant, in his essay "Perpetual Peace," provided a philosophical blueprint for a world free from War. He proposed a federation of free States governed by republican constitutions, where citizens would have a say in declarations of War, making them more cautious. He also advocated for international law and cosmopolitan right. Kant's vision links internal Government structure (republicanism) with external Peace, suggesting that the nature of the State profoundly influences its propensity for War and Peace.

(Image: A detailed allegorical painting depicting the contrasting figures of Mars, the god of war, with a sword and shield amidst a scene of destruction and chaos, juxtaposed with the goddess Pax (Peace), holding an olive branch and a cornucopia, surrounded by symbols of prosperity and harmony, perhaps with a backdrop of an idealized city-state representing good governance.)

Governmental Mechanisms for Maintaining Peace

The Government plays a crucial role in preventing War and fostering Peace both domestically and internationally.

Mechanisms for Internal Peace:

Rule of Law: Establishing clear laws and an impartial justice system to resolve disputes without violence.
Democratic Institutions: Providing avenues for citizen participation and dissent, channeling political energy away from violent revolution.
Economic Stability: Addressing inequalities and ensuring basic needs are met to reduce social unrest.
Education: Promoting civic values, tolerance, and understanding.

Mechanisms for International Peace:

Diplomacy and Negotiation: Engaging in dialogue to resolve conflicts of interest between States.
International Law and Treaties: Establishing norms and agreements to regulate state behavior and prevent aggression.
Collective Security Organizations: Alliances and organizations (like the UN) designed to deter aggression through collective action.
Arms Control and Disarmament: Reducing the means and temptation for War.

Philosophical Concept	Primary Goal for the State / Government	Key Thinker(s)
Social Contract Theory	Escape the state of war; ensure security	Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau
Realpolitik	Preserve state power; manage conflict	Machiavelli, Thucydides
Ideal State / Justice	Foster internal harmony; good life	Plato, Aristotle
Perpetual Peace	Achieve lasting international harmony	Kant
Just War Theory	Ethical conduct in warfare	Augustine, Aquinas (from the Great Books context)

The Justification of War: A Moral Quandary

Even in the pursuit of Peace, the question of when War might be justified remains a profound philosophical and ethical challenge for any Government. "Just War Theory," originating with figures like St. Augustine and further developed by St. Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologica, attempts to set moral parameters for the use of force. It asks whether a War can be deemed just (jus ad bellum) and whether its conduct is just (jus in bello). This framework highlights that even when conflict seems unavoidable, Politics must grapple with profound moral considerations, aiming to limit suffering and uphold a semblance of justice even amidst the brutality of War.

Conclusion: The Unending Quest

The Politics of War and Peace is not a problem with a single, definitive solution, but rather an enduring challenge that defines the human condition. From the stark realism of Thucydides and Machiavelli to the idealistic aspirations of Plato and Kant, the Great Books of the Western World reveal a continuous philosophical struggle to understand, manage, and ultimately transcend the cycles of conflict. The Government and the State stand at the nexus of this struggle, their very legitimacy often resting on their capacity to secure Peace while being ever-prepared for the exigencies of War. The quest for lasting Peace remains the most profound and persistent endeavor of political philosophy, demanding constant vigilance, ethical reflection, and the wise application of power.

Video by: The School of Life

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