War Flashcards
What is war for Tolstoy?
War is the inevitable result of the existence of armies.
What does the military do to people?
Transforms caring individuals into obedient cogs in a killing machine.
How do states use patriotism?
Patriotism as justification for arms races and states as generators of violence rather than defenders of the people.
The disadvantage of armies.
Armies protect elite privileges - what they acquired by force.
Tolstoy’s thoughts on the great European powers?
They have a strong indictment of colonial greed.
What is patriotism to Tolstoy?
It is a deadly myth to Tolstoy.
A “gross and harmful delusion”
A “stupid and immoral” sentiment
A “cruel tradition”
It is an instrument of violence against other humans.
Why can’t peace treaties and disarmament vows be trusted?
States always intend to remain capable of winning wars.
States need armies to subdue their own citizens anyway.
