Question

Is Greed the only reason behind all wars?

Answer 1

Religion and rebellion are both reasons as well. Also territorial claims. Also preemptive wars. They were common in the middle ages and earlier, to stop neighbouring countries from becoming too powerful. But yes, greed is a major reason.

Answer 2

Yes, the greed of the state for the liberties and production of the individual.

Answer 3

Iainmacb, what is the reason of rebellion or territorial claims? Isn't it greed of a few that bring them up?

Answer 4

Rebellion can be caused solely through a vast differing of opinions. Not necessarily greed. Territorial claims can partly be through greed, but also from unity for your country and culture. Look at the history of northern Italy, lots of territorial disputes there.

Answer 5

yes.

Answer 6

By an extremely broad definition of "greed", you could say that it is the reason/cause of all wars. As our culture has expanded from the Fertile Crescent into Europe/Asia and eventually into the American Continents, war has been on the edge of every border. As population expanded so did the need for more resources and land, the more land and resources that were available the more the population grew. Historically a growing need for a growing civilization, greed for the resources to sustain life, was the initial cause for wars. The political/social evolution of our civilization has led to wars that don't at first seem to be initiated by greed, World War 1 and 2, for example. Though, perhaps under further scrutiny, a definition of politial "greed" may explain how those wars started. It's been posited that apart from Hitlers fanatisicm, the German nation had a need (a greed) to re-establish its national identity in Europe after World War 1. Maybe the simplest answer to your question is that those people/nations who begin wars have their own motivations to do so and those motivations can be viewed as individual/national "greed".

Answer 7

A good question.