I think it is time to start talking about war culture.
Last edited Thu Apr 17, 2014, 06:06 AM - Edit history (3)
I've been reading a little bit lately about the endeavor by Feminists to define and identify
rape culture and I've come to think that perhaps something similar should be done
when it comes to war (perhaps they are even somewhat related). What is war culture?
I think it is pretty hard to define it conclusively, since it
is more of a "you know it if you see it" type of thing but if I had to I would
use the following definition:
It is a many-faceted complex phenomenon
but roughly speaking, it is a set of cultural norms that make war more likely
and/or promote war as the normal state of things.
From the top of my head a couple of examples come to mind. I've compiled a list
of things that I can think of and I'd be happy if DU could help me add to it.
For example, war culture is...
...peddling the belief that cooperation between two strangers of
the same nationality is more natural than cooperation between
two strangers of different nationalities.
...envoking grand historical and/or mythological analogies
to justify foreign policy. (The founding fathers, the Roman empire,
the battle against Hitler, 300 Spartans, "city on the hill" ...)
...peddling simplistic "good vs. evil" narratives in the context
of foreign civil wars. ("Let's help the good Croatians against the evil
Serbs."
...national myth-building to cover up or justify atrocities of the past.
("The atomic bombs on Japan saved millions of lives on both sides."
...national myth-building which over-emphasizes the importance of
the military.
("The country was founded on the backs of our troops"
...exaggerating the impact of one's own nation on historical events
while downplaying the impact of other nations.
("The USA saved the world from the nazis. Russia? Never heard of it."
...rationalizing acts of war by saying that they are not as bad as previous
acts of war.
("Drone strikes are ok because they are not as bad as carpet bombing."
...rationalizing acts of war by claiming that they are the norm amongst nations.
("Every country acts in its interest."
...rationalizing acts of war by claiming that they are inevitable.
("There will always be war."
...making it socially acceptable to enlist in the military without
understanding the broader political context. ("Blame the leaders!"
...making it socially acceptable to enlist while a war of aggression
is being waged. ("When the bugle calls you answer!"
...accepting the cover-up of international crimes committed by one's government.
("If US presidents could be prosecuted the US would become a banana republic."
...peddling an interpretation of history that emphasizes the importance of struggles
between nations and/or tribes (rather than, say, the struggles between social classes).
...equating pacifism with support for an enemy.
...tying the physical education of children into a framework that promotes the military.
...using the phrase "sometimes war is necessary" in times of perpetual senseless war.
...thinking that being under orders is an excuse.
...the belief that being disloyal to one's nation is an intrinsically immoral thing
(likewise, the perpetual use of words such as "traitor" in a derogatory manner).
...the belief that loyalty to one's nation is intrinsically moral.
...justifying collateral damage with the excuse that "the enemy used them as human shields".
...focusing on the hardships of those guilty of atrocities rather than on the victims.
...having the economy set up in a way that provides financial incentives for war.
...when "war presidents" have a higher chance of being re-elected.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Laughing...
SQUEE and upaloopa lumped together. 
Talk about false impressions
Last edited Wed Apr 16, 2014, 08:40 PM - Edit history (1)
Going back and meeting some of my former opponents. Unfortunately SW Asia is still' unsettled'
We all heal over time. Take care elder brother 
Absolute spot-on description. The good general, who received two Medals of Honor and singlehandedly stopped the fascist coup against FDR, also observed what you did, raouldukelives. Our main export was death. Imports varied by nation looted.:
"War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives." -- Smedley D. Butler
Butler said he felt like a gangster collecting for racketeers.
For DUers and all who enjoy reading about the nation's true state of affairs: "War Is a Racket" in PDF form.
My 2-cents:
Know your BFEE: Nazis couldn t win WWII, so they backed Bushes
And for those wondering why generation upon generation are called on to fight and pay for the wars for profit:
"Money trumps peace." -- pretzeldent George W Bush
PS: Anyone want to ask me about Trireme Partnerships?
