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An Inquiry Into the Nature of Peace and the Terms of Its Perpetuation (Classic Reprint)
An Inquiry Into the Nature of Peace and the Terms of Its Perpetuation - Classic Reprint Author:Thorstein Veblen ON THE NATURE OF PEACE AND THE TER~IS OF ITS PERPETUATION CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY ~ ON THE STATE AND ITS RELATION TO WAR AND PEACE To many thoughtful men ripe in worldly wisdom it is known of a verity that war belongs indefeasibly in the Order of Nature. Contention, with manslaughter, is indispensable in human intercourse, at the same time that i... more »t conduces to the increase and diffusion of the manly virtues. So likewise, the unspoiled youth of the race, in the period of adolescence and aspiring manhood, also commonly share this gift of insight amI uack it with a gell~ erous commendation of all the martial qualities; and women of nubile age and no undue maturity gladly meet them half way. On the other hand, the mothers of the people are com~ monly unable to see the use of it all. It seems a waste of dear-bought human life, with a large sum of nothing to show for it. So also many men of an elderly turn, prematurely or otherwise. are ready to lend their coun· tenance to
Table of Contents
CONTENTS; CHAPTER I; INTRODUCTORY: ON THE STATE AND ITS RELATION; TO V AR AND PEACE; The inquiry is not concerned with the intrinsic merits; of peace Or war, 2; - But with the nature C4uses and; consequences of the preconceptions favoring peace or; WH J; - A breach of the pea~e is an act of the government,; or State, J; - Patriotism is indisyensable to furtherance; of warlike enterprise, 4; - Al the peoples of; Christendom are sufficiently patriotic, 6 j - Peace established; by the State, an armstice -the State is an; instrumentality for making peace, not for perpetuating; it, 7 i-The governmental establishments and their; powers in all the Christian nations are derived from; the feudal establishments of the Middle Ages, 9; -Sttll; retain the right of coercively 'Controlling the actions of; their citizens, I I ;-Contrast of Icelandic Commonwealth; 12; - The statecraft of the past half century has been; one of competitive preparedn« less