Will there ever be another major war between European powers again?

[GePap]

NO-the only bone of contention was Alsace-Lorraine. The Frogs knew the HUns had the Ruhr full of little Huns.

[The Viceroy]

American war was a civil war !!

[PLATO]

Originally posted by The Viceroy
American war was a civil war !!

Even that could be called a nationalistic war.

[The Andy-Man]

Originally posted by The Viceroy
I may be wrong, but I believe no 2 democratic nations have ever gone to war (and I can't think of any at the moment), so as long as Europe remains a Europe of Democracies, I don't believe war will occur.

The fact is, Mass Education (to a reasonable level) means people chose governments which don't lead them into war .. on the whole .. not without good reason anyway.

So in order to answer the question, id say, what are the chances of a European power's democratic system being toppled .. and a dictatorship being installed ? Which ones are most likely ??

Actually, pre-WW1 germany was very democratic I beleive, and the German Constitution in the 20's is, to my mind, one of the most democratic there has ever been - it elected Hitler of its own accord. Democracy won't stop war at all.



Further more, the UK pre-WW1 did have, or was developing, a mass educational system (compulsory schooling had come in in the 1870's i beleive). And I have heard many say that Germany had the best system of Social Welfare at that time (SDP were v.popular, I think they were in power in 1914 aswell, but not to sure.)

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by The Viceroy
American war was a civil war !!

I was going to say the American war of independence. Both groups of combatants were recognisably democratic to a fair degree. But then I thought, was the American war of independence akin to a civil war? And if so, why not consider a European war of the future a civil war.

[Ted Striker]

I would say the War of Independence was a civil war. If I recall, most colonists actually still favored staying with the crown at the beginning of hostilities.

[Traianvs]

War is a recurrent event. There's no way ever to be safe 100%.
About the military balance: In the past there have been many wars in which both sides were about equally strong, and yes indeed they caused a lot of damage to eachother, but it did not prevent a war.

The only thing that scares off is a nuke or something similar.

[Kuciwalker]

Liberal democracies do not go to war. It has nothing to do with resources or anything - it's just that everyone wants to just play nice. The competition occurs at a different level.

I can see one war in Europe's future though - the European Civil War

Basically, as the EU becomes more federalized (this is inevitable), eventually there will be some issue over which the losing side feels strongly enough about it to secede. Either the Union will effectively dissolve (once you've established that someone can secede, the laws have no real force) or they'll have to go to war to keep it together. The only way to avoid this is for the EU to become a national government before this occurs, and even then it could happen.

[Gangerolf]

What about the Putin?

[Odin]

I would say no if it wasn't for that 1-ton gorilla-in-a-cage called Russia.

BTW: wasn't WWI Germany somewhat democratic?

[St Leo]

Originally posted by BeBro
I agree, not pacified per se. I'd disagree however that it is just a matter of military balance. One cannot ignore the experience of two world wars taking place on European territory (yes not only there, but in the biggest intensity).

Well, the lessons of the Thirty Year War were only honoured for a century or so. Afterwards, it was back to business as usual.

Hopefully, modern education can alleviate mass idiocy and prevent war.

[Odin]

Originally posted by St Leo
Hopefully, modern education can alleviate mass idiocy and prevent war.

Note to the Neocons: Those who do not know history are bound to repeat it.

[Starchild]

Sitting here in the UK, the idea of going to war against Germany seems as remote and distasteful as re-invading Wales.

I mean, that's just not the way things are done anymore.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Dissident


the south and north in the U.S. civil war

The government of the confederacy was more of a plutocracy than a democracy.

[Lonestar]

I'm of the firm belief we are never that far away from a general war. All it takes is something stupid to happen, and then several idiots to make stupid decsions in response to it.