War and American Mennonites

 A “constructivist” lens isn't the only way to view the world of war. A competing lens is called “realism.” It's a misnomer; “realism” is not more “real” or “realistic” than constructivism. To a “realist,” all that matters is power. “Realism” the theory that all countries are in a perpetual war/struggle to exert power over all other countries. The term “power” is defined by the ability to tell another country what to do. If a powerful country tells a less powerful country what to do with its resources, how to develop, how to treat its people etc., the weaker country will be compelled to obey the more powerful country or face military consequences. The way for a country to “win” in a realist world is to be the most powerful country for as long as possible. Push everyone else around to avoid being pushed around by others. Unlike constructivists, realists claim it has always been this way, and always will be this way. A perpetual struggle with the constant threat of w...

  Constructivism is a theory of conflict based on the assumptions that ideas change over time. Ideas can change not just about who could possibly be an enemy, but also about conflict itself. The phrase the war to end all wars came became popular when describing World War I. It was spoken by those who experienced the horrors of the war. They thought that there must be some other way to solve our conflicts besides war. The war was such a terrible experience. There must be another way, some way, any way that didn't involve war. And they are right. Wars can be avoided if we can find better ways to solve our problems. An increasing number of people understand the fact that war is horrific and terrible. It's simply a bad idea. So they oppose it. When fewer people think war is a good idea, fewer wars happen. And humanity solves its problems in more humane ways. Ideas change. Bad ideas are no longer chosen. Something similar happened with the practice of dueling. I...