A World Without War - Unlikely

In this week's issue of the magazine US News and World Report a article was printed titled "The Roots of War". In it the author discusses the impact of warfare on mankind throughout our history. As I read through the article I was profoundly intrigued by an issue that the author raises regarding the possibility of the nature of warfare being endemic in the nature of man.

I am posting the link in the hopes that others may read this report and ponder the importance of its message.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/040426/misc/26war.htm

Tomas Hayden academically reviews the ubiquity of conflict in the affairs of human kind dating back to prehistoric times. He also explains a salient hypothesis that warfare may be inherent in humanity. This he supports by reporting the research done by several scientists. One study has proven that chimpanzes actually engage in warfare employing everything from ambushes to defensive territories and more.
Another study proved that some of the so-called "peaceful" societies from ancient times were well acquainted with violent conflict. This has been documented from cave paintings to archeological findings. Hayden, also describes possible causes for warfare, especially the conflict over resources, and the intrinsic increase in violence given the increase (or otherwise stated development) of a civilization.
Altogether, Hayden paints a grim picture, though he does it to make an important point. The point is that if humans could understand their natural tendency to violence there may be ways to be found to better commute the damage war does to the human race.

Now, I know that many on this site are vehement believers in peace, love, and goodwill, and though I wouldn't want to detract from that I would like to see if the concept makes sense to others. I myself completely agree with the notion that a complex social structure among humans will always spawn conflict and strife. I feel that to ignore such a propensity would be akin to ignoring the lethal nature of the HIV virus in aversion to facing the horror of AIDS. Only by admitting an infection can doctors begin to study the disease in the hopes of finding a mitigating treatment in lieu of a complete cure.

The inclination of violence in humans is something far too fundamental for doctrine or sentiment to overcome. Anyone who believes otherwise would, at the very least, have to admit that "peace" in a people hasn't been with us for thousands of years. Therefore, perhaps the study of warfare should not focus to the two polarizations that they seem to today -the study of expansion of warfare (i.e. military strategy, tactics studies), or the study of the elimination of warfare (e.g. theory and formula to end violent conflict around the globe). Hayden suggests that an honest study of our natures may reveal the tendencies, the triggers, and the constancy of war among ourselves. Perhaps if we studied this way we may find solutions based on averting (but not eliminating) conflict by refining the analysis of when and where force should be applied and is in acute demand. And when and where it isn't, of course.