Question of the Day: Day 2
Why do you think countries go to war?
What do YOU think is worth fighting for?
What do YOU think is worth fighting for?
posted by Michelle at 9:11 AM
We are looking for answers to some hard questions as we dig deep inside and explore our own core values and how that guides not just our own lives but the very world that we live in. These questions will be asked to a group of high school students but we would also like to hear from the world at large. While we hope to keep this forum wide open we do reserve the right to delete responses that we find to be offensive or combative in nature. Thank you for participating with us.
posted by Michelle at 9:11 AM
22 Comments:
I think that more wars have been fought over greed and power than anything else.
Greed is obvious: you have something I want and if you do not give it to me then I will try to take it from you.
Even a fight for "freedom" is about power: the power to "choose."
Wars over ideology are also about power: my idea is right and yours is wrong and you must believe my way or die.
What do I think is worth fighting for? That's a tougher one. I think that, perhaps, "sanctity of life" is the main thing that I believe should be the standard to measure by. All people should be treated with dignity and when any country takes the lives of citizens (their own or others) then sanctions and diplomacy should be brought to bear by ALL other nations and if that fails then I really do believe that we have a moral obligation to step in and intervene to put a stop to that.
I think that for most everything else we should mind our own business but when people cannot adequately defend themselves then I think we should help, even if that means going to war.
I find that my core beliefs are sometimes challenged by world events and I am constantly learning that what was important to me at one time in my life may be much more or less important at another time. Hence, my answers are subject to change at any time!
I think countries go to war for control of power, I think that I would fight for what is right.
In my opion, countries go to war for resources, domination, and/or to right wrongs; there might be other things that kids like me don't understand. What should be the ONLY things worth fighting for are to correct inhumane acts justly.
The history of war shows that before we had well-defined countries there were tribes of people roaming about the Earth who contested for territory in order to gather and hunt for the food they needed to take care of their children and ensure that their family survived. The urge a parent feels to protect and provide for his/her children is the most powerful instinct in the world. All wars can be traced back to someone with the fear that his/her country and family are being threatened by the other tribe or country.
This then asks another question: What can we do to ensure that the fear which begins war is cured? If we cure all fear, then we will cure war.
Unfortunately, I think the root of war is founded in prejudice and racism, which ultimately is about power and control.
What is worth fighting for? Tough one. I would say nothing is worth killing for and justice is worth everything. One can fight by means other than war; however, inhumane acts of injustice cannot go unconfronted, so my righteous statement becomes weak in the face of massive unjust acts of violence against others (e.g. holocaust, ethnic cleansing). I am clearly conflicted.
People have gone to war over the centuries for a wide variety of reasons. When you think about the average life-span in the early and middle ages, you realize that many of the kings during that time were quite young. That could explain SOME of the history of war.
However, in general, wars are fought over resources, over access to shipping channels or over power and control. It is always good to look beyond the reasons given to the people for war to see what might be the real motivation for it.
In my opinion the war in Iraq is over resources as there are plenty of countries in the world that have horrible dictators that have abused their people and the U.S. has done nothing about it. Just look at the genocide in Sudan. It is a noble cause to defeat a bad ruler or to stop genocide when another government will do nothing about it, but if Iraq had no oil, I doubt our government would be involved. Just like they aren't involved in Sudan.
As my husband was in the military, I can say for both him and myself that the values and freedoms set forth in the constitution are, for us, worth fighting for. Protecting my children and their way of life is worth fighting for. I truly hope I never have to make that fight though.
As someone else mentioned, there are many ways of fighting that do not involve killing. I've always found change from the inside to be a more effective tool than trying to force change from without.
#1 In my opion countries go to war due to other countries trying to attack there countries people or over there resources such as oil,coal,iron,etc... also because they might think that what another countries beliefs are wrong and/or showing disrespect to there life style.So my belief is if another countrie is not doing any of the following they should not be tormented by other countries just because they do not have the freedom or resource that the other countries have. The following is things that we should go to war for, Killing there people for no reason at all or Becomeing out of order, Threatening another Countrey or Countries.
#2
In my opion I think that the things that are worth going to war is Freedom,Attacke on our countries and,Our belifes,Also for other country that are being attacked for no reason and can not control what is going on.
In my opinion countries go to war because they try to prove a point to other world wide countrys. Whether its that fact that they want to prove to be stronger and more diverse than others. Personally I think war is so unhuman and gruesome. I think that we as people can work together to become a more diverse culture of people. Things that happen in todays society that I think that would be worth fighting for is the capabilty of children. Basically what I mean is for the right for all the children in America that have been in abusive homes, foster homes, places like the streets have more places in this world where people can step forward and change those people lives for the better. To let all of them know there is a plece in this world that they can make a change. Thats something where I think a war should be held.
People go to war because they don't have the patience to find the words to prevent the war.
The dawn of war comes when the rights of another are sacraficed for another and a silented ear is turn in their direction.
Countries go to war for a lot of reasons. Some of them are good, many of them aren't. All wars have been justified as 'for the good of...' whether it is God, a country, freedom, the people of the other country or just the man in charge. We haven't yet had the war for peace loved by so many baddies in films. probably a good thing.
I think that almost nothing is worth fighting for. Its just hard not to fight. I wish I could see how to use Asimov's quote "Violence is the last resort of the incompetent", but I can't see that it would work all of the time. When violence is necessary it should be short, sharp and only as much as necessary.
Countries go to war bring safety and progress to their people - unfortunately, that's a stupid reason that doesn't ever work.
I think countries go to war because humans are not the supurior race. I also feel that many politicians are morons who dont know what the h*ll they are talking about.I also feel that world peace will only be established if each individual person started with there own self, you have to love yourself and understand your own problems before you say anything about other people and countries problems. Also are current president should take more interest in our own country instead of other peoples countries,also leave theire oil alone.
Not all wars are fought with guns and bombs. If we don't watch ourselves carefully, we could be fighting our own small wars. That's why it is important that first and foremost, I am at peace with myself.
Contentment
Most countries go to war because people are not contented with what they have. We call it different names such as greed, envy, covetousness, and jealousy.
Tolerance
Others go to war because they could not tolerate other beliefs. They must put somebody down just to prove that they're right.
I believe we should instead be fighting for something that's more important than material things. We should be fighting for our dignity, the truth, the welfare of our fellowmen. And in fighting for these lasting values, we don't have to kill anybody. The better approach is to hate "what is wrong, not the wrongdoer."
If everyone would just resolve to become a better person, wars would cease to exist.
Even when countries try to justify aggressive actions by claiming they were merely protecting basic human rights, I think the real reason is greed. To back this up, just look at what the "savior" nations offer up as bribes...preferential trade status or other economic-based assets and investments. Because these bribes ultimately benefit the "savior" nation by opening up new markets, the warring nation does gain. Further, companies that weren't doing well selling gun powder, lead, lasers, gasoline, etc. suddenly make big bucks supplying their government once a war starts. The government then gets to collect more taxes from the now successful companies. That's some well executed greed in my book.
Interesting. The second question didn't ask what a good reason for war would be, but what was worth fighting for. I didn't expect that. I was going to say that a nice by-product of a greed-driven war could be maintaining human dignity.
Anyway, worth fighting for: Those that can't defend themselves, family, self-preservation and also... Um, yeah, I got nothing.
Freedom is worth fighting for, not only for us but for our country too. From what I have read in History this country has had no freedom before, and it was miserable, so in my opinion, freedom is worth fighting for.
Most wars are caused by one country having something another country wants/doesnt like like oil or food for example, or agression.
In essence if a country has all its needs covered and requires nothing else, it will not risk war, it has no need to risk war.
Ultimately self preservation overrules both of the above, if a country thinks it won't survive due to another country having something it needs it will go to war and that could be regardless of the consequences.
So many correct answers here. I think war is a last resort to any conflict. I do believe it is fear based. and also a basic survival leftover from our nomadic days.
I want to believe in the kindness and humanity of different cultures. One person, or One action by a country does not reflect the whole of its society. but when some represent the feelings of many, it can get ugly.
whats worth fighting for? my loved ones. People that i care for. So they are free to be themselves, and have access to making this world a better place for all. To live in Harmony with each other.
I agree with what Jon H said. I would fight a war to do what is right. But that is rarely the case in most circumstances. Fear is the real cause. The thought of losing something important is also another cause
I think that countries go to war for the power. They feel that by trying to take control they are powerful. I think that freedom and love are worth fighting for
countries go to war over land and sometimes rulers. I think freedom and rightes is worth fighting for.
I think our countries go to war for many reasons that usually work for a gain towards them. Some times for recouces, power, or to right wrongs comitted by opposing forces. Most people think all war is about power in some ways the are right and they are wrong. They could want to show how much power they have or to defend another country( The Gulf War)
I would fight to defend my contury willingly. It wouldn't matter how bad the offense.
Our country's go to war for our freedom and our rights. Right now we are kinda at war but were trying to make acountry better and make sure they dont retaliate.
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