War: What is it good for?

War is undeniably one of the greatest human evils. It has shattered communities, provoked unspeakable atrocities, and left countless millions dead. Economic chaos and widespread deprivation often follow in its wake, and the misery it generates taints foreign policy for future generations. At first glance, the effects of war seem purely negative. However, Ian Morris offers a provocative argument that, in the very long term, war has paradoxically been a driver of societal advancement.

In his trademark style, Morris combines interdisciplinary insights, scientific methods, and fascinating stories to illustrate his thesis that war is the sole human invention that has enabled the construction of peaceful societies. He posits that without war, humanity would never have developed the immense nation-states that now provide relatively stable environments, reducing the frequency of random acts of violence. Through these structures, societies have achieved previously unimaginable wealth and increased lifespan and comfort.

Yet, Morris also acknowledges the double-edged nature of warfare. The very advances it has facilitated could be undone by the continuing evolution of deadly weaponry. The persistent effort to manage and control warfare in the coming decades will prove to be among the most critical challenges in the history of our civilisation.

In War: What is it good for?, Ian Morris masterfully dissects humanity's history of warfare. By doing so, he draws startling conclusions about our future, suggesting that while war has paradoxically shaped our past and present, it poses a significant threat to everything we have built. The book invites readers to engage with the difficult but essential questions about the role of war in human progress and the urgent need to find pathways to peace in an increasingly interconnected world.