War in Human Civilization

In this highly acclaimed book, Azar Gat, professor of national security at Tel Aviv University, traces the origins of of through lenses of a variety of disciplines including biology, anthropology, archaeology, history, sociology and political science stock he shows that large-scale deadly fighting has always been prevalent and has been pursued for the same ends as human desire more generally. His perspective is thoroughly Darwinian in the sense of defining the prime aim of politics as the desire and struggle for scarce resources and wealth. This overall situation is unlikely to improve with the pressure we now exert electively on the environment. It is interesting to note that it is only since the Enlightenment that liberal societies have begun to regard war as something 'utterly repugnant and futile'. Gat's and Darwinian view understates the role of cooperation, regarding it as a pragmatic move within a competitive context. The work of Riane Eisler on the distinction between dominator and partnership societies receives no mention. His outlook is not a hopeful one, even if there is a general trend towards and more peaceful policies.