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In my opinion, war is an ineffective way of solving problems and making advancements as a human species. Not as a country or a group, but a human species, because in the end, that's all that really matters. We all share the same planet, sometimes even the same continents, yet our own stupidity allows us to form alliances, and therefore enemies, and use violence as our means of influence.

Look where humans have come, look at how advanced we are as a society. Our technology advances at shockingly high rates, and we are constantly learning more and more about the universe in which we inhabit. Yet still, here lies the pathetic humans that think that their opinions are non-negotiable, and if anyone gives them any trouble, war is the solution. War means nothing. War says which country can raise a stronger army, or which country can throw the most bombs, or the biggest bombs. But ultimately, the strength and physical power of a country is irrelevant to any future peace. Why must humans resort to violence when someone else won't agree with them? It's just stupid.

A better way to function is to be willing to negotiate, be willing to accept someone else's ideas if they can prove yours wrong. There is an answer to everything, there will always be right and wrong, better and worse. Right now, if someone can't accept one or the other, and be willing to change for the better, than war/violence is the automatic solution. I could be wrong here, but I think that one of the most important matters that needs to be resolved is religion. Actually, it's not even that religion shouldn't exist. I'd be perfectly fine with religion existing (not that I would be a part of it), as long as religion doesn't play a role or affect how people make major decisions, decisions that affect other people and/or countries.

This is getting long for the first post, so I'll sum it up now. To put it in one sentence, I just don't understand why people can't sit down and agree on a final consensus without bringing violence into the equation. It just seems so barbaric.

Sadly, yes, war is effective. As a matter of principle I think I stand at 'don't start wars, but don't be afraid to defend yourself either'.

And no, as an example, the war we're entrenched in right now is not defending ourselves.

Effective... perhaps effective at population control... economic and scientific stimulus... yes.
War can also bring out the "best in the worst possible circumstances" in humans.
There are some truely heroic actions done in the name of war.

I think the better question is "Is War Necessary or Unavoidable"

Machiavelli once described peace "As the interval between two wars"
And I think that statement is accurate.

Humans are far too dynamic, to accept peace for any continued length of time.
We have a natural basic instinct to discover, to tamper, to create, to push the limits.
Add that instinct to the fact that we are all flawed, in mindset, behaviour etc... and our instincts become selfish in nature.

When "me" becomes more important than "we" it tends to start to impinge on others rights.

The fact of the matter is that fighting is a natural instinct in man.
When even a small number of individuals cannot live in peace (your fence is 1/8 of an inch on my property line... you stole my parking spot etc), it is, too much to expect so many nations to live in a state of eternal peace.
Besides, there will always be wide differences of opinion between various nations, different angles of looking at matters that have an international importance, radical differences in policy and ideology and these cannot be settled by mere discussions so that resort to war becomes very necessary in these cases.
Throw in religious differences, socio-economic pressures, old grievances (World War II was basically a reaction to the massive restrictions put on Germany as a result of World War I)... and an multitude of other pressures... and war is almost certainly the only option left.

And then there are the wildcards... the totally insane with power lust individuals... but that also falls into the "me" before "we" mindset.

Time does not heal all wounds... and though you might forgive... you NEVER forget.

In a perfect world... settling your differences at the table would be the best option.
But in reality... this is a fantasy.

I wish it was not necessary... but I also don't kid myself about it... it is.
And I for one, am greatful to live in a country that still relatively adheres to freedom.
And I am certainly greatful for those that choose to be in the military to defend those freedoms.

I think war is effective to put the disobedient countries such as North Korea back in its place.

I think war is effective, when it comes to getting what you want, but all it does is cause more problems. It causes economical problems, mental problems and a massive result of war is loss of life. Countries should be able to sort out their problems by using other methods (such as negotiation, paying them, etc).

I'd like to think of a world where war doesn't exist, but that will never happen. Religion plays a major part in war, always has, always will. The current war, religion. Civil war in Ireland, religion. War dating way back, religion. The only wars which have served a purpose that I can think of are WW1+2. They had its reasons, which everyone knows about. It was effective at bringing down a power hungry leader. In that sense, war is effective.

When a war is started because someone has different beliefs, it has no reason, no effectiveness and get's the world nowhere. This war in Afghanistan is getting us nowhere. Sure, Al Qaeda and the Taliban are killing and torturing innocent people and that needs to stop. But at the end of the war, what will it have served? Nothing. Al Qaeda and the Taliban will still believe in Jihad. They will still be around doing the same as they are now. Nothing will have changed except some parts of a country will have peace. The underlying cause will still be there and it will likely happen again, just somewhere else in the world, like Africa and the Mali Situation. It's a cycle. They kill us, we kill them. We'll stop killing when they stop killing, they'll stop killing when we stop killing. It will go on and on.

WW1+WW2 had reasons. To stop Power Hungry people from taking over the world and trying to exterminate an entire race. War stopped all this from happening, proving that war is effective. Has it happened since? No, no it has not. Well, unless we take a closer look at America and it's "Democracy" bullshit it tries to turn countries to, but I won't get into that as people who know me no I could go on and on.

You have to think of the world as your family. We have the leaders (Dads) protecting their citizens (kids) from enemies (paedophiles). You, as a dad, would do anything to stop your kid being fiddled, tell the paedo off (negotiate with another country), then beat the shit out of them (starting a war).

I just wonder how different the world would be without religion. What other reasons could start so many wars, besides the ones stated? How would the world get on? Sadly we will never know the answer, at least not in our lifetime. All these problems because people believe in different things. It's quite sad.

I think it depends on the situation...

I used to go out with a woman that was an Army officer. She always used to say "No one ever really wins a war".

Many people think we are moving into a more "peaceful" era. In modern times historically democracies don't go to war with other democracies. You look at the number of communist and dictator lead countries around today compared to 20 years ago it gives you some hope. But then you look at resources like food and water availability and the projections of that is what wars in 50 years are going to be fought over. It gives cause for concern.

I feel that war is effective as its the most efficient way of getting what you want. Peace agreements are good but sometimes they don't always work. War also brings about a lot of technological advancements like new machines, vehicles, weapons, cheaper ways of doing things. It also makes people value life even more than they do now as well as sparking initiative to preserve life as much as possible.

War is pointless in my mind. Instead of grouping together to find a solution for the problem or talking it out between governments we send our own citizens to go fight with other citizens. The only thing that war does is get people killed.