Then what explains war among states? Rousseau's answer is really that war occurs because there is nothing to prevent it.

In a zero-sum game, the problem is entirely one of distribution, not at all one of production.

To solve these problems one needs as much an understanding of politics as an understanding of man - and the one cannot be derived from the other.

The transitory interests of royal houses may be advanced in war; the real interests of all people are furthered by the peace.

War most often promotes the internal unity of each state involved. The state plagued by internal strife may then, instead of waiting for the accidental attack, seek the war that will bring internal peace.

Once socialism replaces capitalism, reason will determine the policies of states.

According to the first image of international relations, the locus of the important causes of war is found in the nature and behavior of man. Wars result from selfishness, from misdirected aggressive impulses, from stupidity.