War and Peace – Shall there Be Peace?

(b) Human greed, fear, and the desire for power

The essay argues that wars do not arise mainly from the absence of treaties or organizations but from human nature itself — greed, fear, suspicion and the ambition to dominate others keep nations divided, so even signed agreements fail to bring lasting peace.

In War and Peace – Shall there Be Peace?, two major causes of war are human greed for power and wealth, and fear and suspicion between nations.

(a) Greed for power and wealth. Individuals and nations want more land, resources and influence than they have. Strong countries try to dominate weaker ones, and rivals compete for markets and territory. Because each side wants to gain at the other's expense, compromise looks like weakness, and peace talks collapse whenever interests clash.

(b) Fear and suspicion. Nations do not trust one another, so they build weapons "for defence". This alarms their neighbours, who arm in turn, and an arms race begins. Each side's preparation for war convinces the other that war is coming, so disarmament and lasting agreements become very hard.

Both causes come from human nature, not from a lack of treaties. This is why peace stays fragile even after agreements are signed.

The essay makes clear that peace is not simply the absence of war but a positive condition of justice, harmony and human well-being. War is only the most visible form of violence; even when fighting stops, people may still suffer from poverty, hunger, exploitation, fear and oppression. Such a situation is merely a pause in conflict, not real peace. True peace requires the removal of these hidden forms of violence — equal rights, social justice, freedom from want and fear, and respect for human dignity. The essay therefore suggests that peace is not a negative state defined by what is missing, but a positive state built on fairness, cooperation and the fulfilment of basic human needs. A society that is silent only because people are suppressed cannot be called peaceful. Lasting peace must be actively created and maintained through understanding, tolerance and justice.

War and Peace – Shall there Be Peace?

The essay examines the question of whether lasting peace is possible in the modern world, and it argues that peace is not a dream but a goal that human beings can reach if they choose to work for it.

The essay identifies several obstacles to peace. The chief obstacle is the selfishness and greed of human beings, which leads individuals and nations to seek power and wealth at the cost of others. Nationalism in its extreme form, blind patriotism, and the arms race push countries toward conflict. Fear and suspicion make nations build weapons instead of trust, and the desire for revenge keeps old hatreds alive. War, the essay suggests, is not a natural necessity but a habit that people have learned and can therefore unlearn.

As measures for peace, the essay stresses education, understanding, and cooperation. People must be taught to see others as fellow human beings rather than enemies. International organisations, dialogue, and mutual trade can create bonds of interest and friendship. Above all, peace requires a change of heart — the willingness to forgive, to compromise, and to place the welfare of humanity above narrow interests.

I agree that peace can be established through collective human effort. History shows that slavery, colonialism, and many cruel practices were ended when people united against them. War is a human invention, so it can be abolished by human will. If individuals, governments, and international bodies act together with sincerity, lasting peace is not a dream but a real possibility.