I understand the point was that if the west loses it's will to brutalize our perceived enemies, it could fall at the hands of those who have no such qualms about brutality.
It's an interesting thought experiment, but in practical terms it's like worrying about what'll happen to the earth when the sun swells into a red giant.
There may be many factors that could effect a decline of western power, but an unwillingness to put a cap in the ass of those who dis us just isn't realistic. Not now, not for a very, very long time...if ever.
As for the argument that societies become less willing to use their weapons as they (both the weapons and the society) become more powerful...well, I should hope so. Are we supposed to use city-killers on whim?
I believe we could not win WWII with today's society.
Have we, in the last half-century, lost that primordial seed of viciousness that's fuelled centuries of terrible violence? Cripes, if only. I have no doubt whatsoever that there is no line we wouldn't cross if we felt sufficiently threatened. Don't mistake that for bravado, because it scares the hell out of me.
Off Topic » in reply to Comments so far aren't making me feel better.
Expressed myself poorly
The whole thread (38 posts)
- Will
- The second derivative effect.
- Which side will win a war
- Stop thinking philosophically for a moment...
- re: Peace or not?
- re: Will
- It's really very simple.
- Like a lot of others who commented on that blog...
- I think society adjusts itself to the level of barbarians present.