Session 4: Man, The State and War 

War - What is it good for? (answered in the last sentence)

Kenneth Waltz was a founder of the school of neorealism, which argued that the states' number one priority is to achieve their own security and that an offensive approach. In the introductory essay of his book Man, The State and War he introduces the concept of analyzing the causes and solutions for war in terms of 'images and prescriptions'.  Something which struck me as interesting was the comment “…if violence among states is the product of international anarchy, to aim at the conversion of individuals can accomplish little.” and I will look to expand my thoughts on this.

The balance of power argument regarding international relations in a bipolar world suggests that states align themselves with each other and form alliances in order to minimize risk which is also in line with the neorealist school of thought. Power, henceforth, is a major player in the international system of anarchy. Violence, however, is not the same as power according to Hannah Arendt. Violence is rather the absence of power. In this manner we see that states resort to violence when they feel that they have lost power.

This conforms to earlier on in the reading when pride and petulance were identified as one of the root evils that led to war. If a state or despotic ruler or whoever considers that its/his pride is slighted, it is equivalent to a loss of power. Loss of power or the threat thereof is then a big factor in creating the violent circumstances leading to war. Many different reasons for war can be identified as a loss of power. The Iraq Invasion was sparked because there was a threat posed by the supposed existence of WMDs which led to a downturn in the balance of power. The Crusades were started because the papacy needed to consolidate its power. Violence among states then comes from a wide ranging loss of power that may manifest in many forms. So, in a sense, an absence of power is the prime motive for violence in the international system. Violence thus stems from nothingness. Absolutely nothing.