Why Nations Go to War
by Mark P. Worrell
Social Science
The United States has been involved in many wars, sometimes for noble causes like defeating Nazism, and, at other times, it has compromised its own ideals, leading to a lot of soul searching and regrets. Some wars are celebrated as glorious achievements (World War II), some are ‘forgotten’ (Korea), and some are ‘ignored’ (Afghanistan). The current wars in the Middle East represent a complex interplay of motivations, challenges, and threats to America’s role as the world’s democratic leadership. In the case of Afghanistan, we find that during the Cold War the US defense and intelligence apparatus directly and indirectly created an incalculable number of radical extremists that have now turned their sights on their former benefactor. The invasion of Iraq represents a different calculus: under the multitude of rationalizations rests a simple political-economic case of a master nation punishing a disobedient subject. In this brief book, America’s relationship with war is explored with an eye toward changes in capitalism from industrialism to post-industrialism, America’s involvement in the Cold War, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, torture, culture, and ideology. The goal of this new, unique Series is to offer readable, teachable "thinking frames" on today’s social problems and social issues by leading scholars, all in short 60 page or shorter formats, and available for view on http://routledge.customgateway.com/routledge-social-issues.html For instructors teaching a wide range of courses in the social sciences, the Routledge Social Issues Collection now offers the best of both worlds: originally written short texts that provide "overviews" to important social issues as well as teachable excerpts from larger works previously published by Routledge and other presses.
Bridges
Books that connect different domains
Bridges summary
Mark P. Worrell's *Why Nations Go to War* serves as a crucial nexus for understanding the enduring and multifaceted nature of human conflict, particularly when viewed through the lens of interconnected systems and the often-unforeseen consequences of grand strategies. This book, by dissecting America's complex relationship with war from the ideological battles of the Cold War to the post-industrial economic motivations in modern conflicts, resonates deeply with the themes explored in other connected works, creating a compelling intellectual bridge for readers seeking a comprehensive understanding of global dynamics. The structural parallels with Chris Miller's *Chip War* are particularly striking. Just as Miller unveils the intricate, often unseen, economic and geopolitical forces that dictate the global semiconductor landscape – a form of modern warfare waged in silicon and fabrication plants – Worrell meticulously examines how larger geopolitical ambitions, shifting economic paradigms (from industrialism to post-industrialism), and evolving capitalist structures influence a nation's decision to engage in military conflict. Both authors, in their distinct domains, demonstrate a shared fascination with how complex, interconnected systems, whether they involve state actors vying for technological dominance or nations pursuing ideological or economic agendas, invariably lead to high-stakes power plays. The cyclical nature of human ambition, the relentless pursuit of advantage, and the profound impact of systemic pressures are laid bare in both narratives, inviting readers to recognize the universal patterns that drive both overt military engagements and the silent, relentless battles for technological supremacy.
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