War: A Product of Capitalism?

COLTRANE · (#1 (**permalink**))

According to Leninist theory, all wars waged are a consequence of the big demand of market supply, and thus a war waged is waged and done only to the profit of the upper-echelons of society.

For example, the Iraq War
-Waged due to the lobby of the weapon industry. The weapon industry must creat a demand for weapons to flourish it profits, thus lobby the government to start wars.
-Oil is a prime factor also of the market demand which was instilled in the global situation when the war started.
-The opening up of new labour resources which are useful to global investors.

The Iraq war was truly an example of how capitalism is the prime reasons for the war to be started and only those who have the economic means in their possession profit from it.

Discuss.

Sooofresh · (#2 (**permalink**))

@Coltrane

It is MyThoughts that explains it well

capitalist countries need war every now and then, apparently it improves the economyconfused3

more people are needed to make warefare, they spend money and money gets pumped into the system, which you explained

also I am sure the country they are attacking they will benefit from eg Iraq I am sure Bush and his puppets are benefiting from it., which again you have explained

Also other capatilist countries buy weapons from capatilist countries hence cycle of money.

which i why i ilaugh when some people believe that war is to improve the "tortured" people.

Parris · (#3 (**permalink**))

COLTRANE wrote:

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According to Leninist theory, all wars waged are a consequence of the big demand of market supply, and thus a war waged is waged and done only to the profit of the upper-echelons of society.

For example, the Iraq War
-Waged due to the lobby of the weapon industry. The weapon industry must creat a demand for weapons to flourish it profits, thus lobby the government to start wars.
-Oil is a prime factor also of the market demand which was instilled in the global situation when the war started.
-The opening up of new labour resources which are useful to global investors.

The Iraq war was truly an example of how capitalism is the prime reasons for the war to be started and only those who have the economic means in their possession profit from it.

Discuss.

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I don't think War is a product of Capitalism....I would also like to add that wars have been fought LONG before Iraq.

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And Iraq was not waged SOLEYbecause oflust for Arab oil...there is something much more important as to the reason American ultimatly invaded Iraq. Precense, which the US desperatly needs in that part of the world.

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I disagree that "Capitalism" is the reason for war...unless you are trying to say that "greed" and "Capitalism" are one and the same........to which, I would have to disagree again.

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wars have been fought because of pride, love, lust, greed, Capitalism is just another conventin excuse for reasons why.

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I mean look at the war fought in the 20th century....I'd say less that half was truly because of capitalism and more because of the faults of man.

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â€œMad Mullah,â€? War
Algerian-Moroccan War
Angolan Civil War
Burkino Faso Rebellion
Cameroonian Revolt
Chadian Civil War
Congolese Civil War
Djibouti Civil War
Dutch-Portugese Wars in West Africa
Ethiopian-Eritrean Guerrilla War
Ethiopian-Somali Border War
French Revolutionary Wars
German Colonial Wars in Africa
Ghanian Civil War
Guinea-Bissauan War of Independence
Holy Wars of the
Italo-Ethiopian War
Liberian Civil War
Libyan-Egyptian War
Malian Civil War
Moroccan War
Mozambican Civil and Guerrilla Wars
Mozambican War of Independence
Namibian War of Independence
Namibian War of Independence (SWAPO)
Nigerian Civil War
North African Campaign
Portugese Conquests in India and the East Indies
Portugese-Omani Wars in East Africa
Rhodesian Civil War
Rif War
Ruandan Civil War3
Senegalese Border War
Sierra Leonean Civil War
Somalian Civil War
South African Rebellion
Sudanese Civil War
Togolese Civil War

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Good topic Coltrane.....very good topic.

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PaRrIs

Mokele Mbembe · (#4 (**permalink**))

Agree with Parris.

Many more reasons for a war.

Wars of conquest
Wars of liberation
Wars over materials, turf, land... (most common wars)
Wars of vengance
Wars to sustain economic power

Add you own lol... Luckily we dont live in the days where my king didnt like yours because of something my prince did to your princess so thousands of us end up dying, while said prince, princess and kings sit back and make friends again.

Sooofresh · (#5 (**permalink**))

who said these countires are not capatilist?

Sudan is capatilist to the hilt, even though they hide behind fundmentalism

which you have proven the point

capitalism=materials, sustained power, over land which will gain economic viability.

but if you look at China, it hardley invades other countries for economic gain.

so i guess you have all answered Yes War=a product of Capitalism

COLTRANE · (#6 (**permalink**))

Hmm, let's work this a little further as at wars that have been fought after first world war

- Disgruntled by piss-poor economic conditions, Middle Easterners begin turning to radical Muslim fundamentalism as a means to cope.
- As the movement grows, the world's leading capitalist economic power, the USA, is targetted by the extremists, such as al Qaeda.
- Al Qaeda attacks a primary economic, capitalist target in the USA, the World Trade Centre.
- As a direct result, the USA invades Afghanistan to remove the pro-al Qaeda Taliban government and attempts to wrangle various al Qaeda members.
- Using the fears of terrorism that were a direct result of capitalism (as shown above), the USA invades Iraq. therefore there are also more capitalism-caused reasons the that USA invaded Iraq

COLTRANE · (#7 (**permalink**))

@Parris

capitalism produces wars, but it can't be said that war in general was a product of capitalism specifically. War is a product of class society, not just capitalism. Wars ie. armed conflicts between considerably organised bodies of men have occurred constantly throughout the history of class society (slavery, feudalism, capitalism).

US war against Iraq is an example of one type of war common in the era of imperialism; neo-colonialist war. Redivision of markets, exportation of capital to raw material resources.

The politics of US government is not primarily a matter of lobbying, though that also has its part. USA is a highly developed society of state monopoly capitalism. Serving finance capital (serving the rest of bourgeoisie is secondary, which makes libertarian "anti-state" sentiments attractive to the middle-capitalist and the petty bourgeois) is the very function of US government (and the governments of all state monopoly capitalist societies, including Finland).

As imperialism is the main source of modern wars, liquidation of imperialism is the top prerequisite for world peace.

Parris · (#8 (**permalink**))

COLTRANE wrote:

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@Parris

capitalism produces wars, but it can't be said that war in general was a product of capitalism specifically. War is a product of class society, not just capitalism. Wars ie. armed conflicts between considerably organised bodies of men have occurred constantly throughout the history of class society (slavery, feudalism, capitalism).

US war against Iraq is an example of one type of war common in the era of imperialism; neo-colonialist war. Redivision of markets, exportation of capital to raw material resources.

The politics of US government is not primarily a matter of lobbying, though that also has its part. USA is a highly developed society of state monopoly capitalism. Serving finance capital (serving the rest of bourgeoisie is secondary, which makes libertarian "anti-state" sentiments attractive to the middle-capitalist and the petty bourgeois) is the very function of US government (and the governments of all state monopoly capitalist societies, including Finland).

As imperialism is the main source of modern wars, liquidation of imperialism is the top prerequisite for world peace.

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COLTRAN PEACE BRUTHA!!! MAN I'M LOVING THIS CONVO!!!!! THIS IS WHAT I CAME HERE FOR....*runs around room screaming* arrrggghhh!!! *bites brick wall*

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he he he. HOORAH!!

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*sorry.....so used to fighting in here, a healthy topic is exciting to me.

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I digress......

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I think that we've come to a point of word play.

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With capitalism being a relatively new concept (in the span of history) and war having been before Capitalism...it is too simple to say that Capitalism is the cause of war. To keep things relovant that's like saying "Guns are the reason people kill each other"â€¦when people were killing each other before guns.

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While Capitalism is by far not a perfect system, it is the most stable. Communism in THEROY works great...but in practice is falls short.

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While I agree with you on the characterization of America capitalism, we need only look at other countries to see the opposite choices.

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You mentioned the radicle muslims. I think they truly are angryâ€¦and they have a right to be. Saudi for exampleâ€¦the ruling class opresses its own people, but keeps them looking outward at the West for the reasons why. As long as Saudia Arabians are pizzed at Americansâ€¦.they won't notice they are being robbed blind by their own leaders. As is my opinion with most (all) poor Muslim countires. Do you think the people of poor countries would fair better under a more capitalist society. I do, I think if true capitalism along with a fundamental change in leadership took place in Nigeria...it would but one of the most powerful (economically and militarily speaking) countries today.....alas...just a dream.

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I do think that the use of Imperialism was false. In another threat the topic was black-on-black and question the use of the term when it is misleading.

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I questions your use in the same manor, as it is misleading.

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While the US and other powerful countries play a hand in the internal politics of other countriesâ€¦.(its been done of centuries, nothing new)â€¦.the US does not OWN these countries.

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When you talk of Empires you would speak of (some would say Nubia) Egypt, Rome, the ZuluEmpire (that should spark debate), China (lol @ China never invaded for economic gains) France, Great Britain and the USSR. Influence does not equate to ownership, and ownershipcreates an Empire.

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CARRY ON BRUTHA!! DAMN GOOD TOPIC.

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PaRrIs

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Mokele Mbembe · (#9 (**permalink**))

Coltrane

Is this discussion limited to wars concerning USA and Islamic states only??

Is it about modern wars (post WW1)??

confused3

safetyblitz · (#10 (**permalink**))

Yeah man I am confused on this one too....I thought all wars fought since the Americas were discovered and more trade routes opened up were fought as capitalist wars? About 500 years roughly if I am looking at it right.

Ahmaad · (#11 (**permalink**))

War isn't a product of Capitalism, it's a product of HUMAN NATURE.

I know of no nation, tribe, or ethnic group of people regardless of their economic and political system...that hasn't experienced war.

Communist Russia invaded Afganistan.

Communist China invaded Vietnam and Cambodia.

Capitalist nations may CAPITALIZE more off of warfare than some other nations, but it doesn't produce war.

Where as in a Capitalist society the Corporations and private individuals may benefit...in Socialist and Communist nations, the leaders benefit.

So what's the difference?

As long as men have egos, needs, and a ready supply of testosterone filled young men willing to die for ideals...you're gonna have War.