by Ishaan Raghav

War is complex. This is a statement that most of us can agree on and has shaped eons of human history and continues to influence us even now. Understanding war requires the comprehensive examination of diverse perspectives that encompass historical, political, economic, sociological and cultural viewpoints. These perspectives offer a nuanced understanding of the causes, course and associated consequences of war.

Warfare has changed its conduct, causes and consequences throughout history. From hegemonic disputes in the Peloponnesian Wars between Athens and Sparta to the World Wars of the 20th Century, there are years of technology and motivations that have evolved to give humanity a “casus belli”. Warfare has shifted from being a primal desire to one that has been motivated by a “greater cause”. Nowadays, as observed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, warfare has integrated the use of technology heavily where cyber tactics and information warfare’s primacy rules the field.

Political ideologies have significantly influenced how nations approach war. From religious-based warfare to one focused on the triumphs in economics (capitalism and communism), led to events such as the Crusades and the Cold War, both motivated by ideological struggles where superpowers took sides to oppose their rival’s agendas. The rise of nationalism and authoritarianism has also played a role in regional conflicts and power struggles, such as the Syrian Civil War of 2011. Such wars involve diverse factions and groups fighting against one another, all for the main goal of sovereignty and regional dominance.

War has had economic implications both during and after the conflict, both in economic casus-bellis and the internal states of economies. Such examples include the Iraq War which was partly influenced by the geopolitical importance of the region’s oil reserves, raising questions about the economic underpinning of military interventions. There is also the consideration of post-war recovery efforts which are a primary reason as to why nations sparingly wage wars nowadays, due to the sheer economic impacts associated with waging one.

The sociological perspectives on war focus primarily on the underlying morality and societal implications of such a conflict. Wars are at the forefront of ethical debates about justifications for violence, human rights and the treatment of civilians. We have institutions such as the Geneva Conventions which were established to address some of these concerns. Wars can affect social structures, communities and individual lives. This is seen in the late 20th century in events such as the Bosnian War and Rwandan Genocide which underscore how ethnic and social divisions can be a cause and consequence of conflict.

The cultural narratives of war and memory play a significant role in understanding how societies commemorate and more war. Literature, art and film serve as mediums to portray experiences and impacts of war. This is observed in works such as “All Quiet on the Western Front” and Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” which make a relatable and poignant insight into the human cost of conflict. They affect national identity and collective memory, having days dedicated to those who were lost in war such as Memorial Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom.

Understanding war through these various perspectives provides a complex view of how it is seen throughout the world. They give insight into the causes, processes and consequences that concur in war. By observing these diverse viewpoints, we can appreciate the profound impact of war on societies.  We can use these diverse viewpoints to better appreciate the profound impact of war on societies and work toward conflict resolution and peacebuilding, for all of them agree on one thing:

War is ALWAYS a tragedy.