War, it will be seen, is now a purely internal affair. In…
““War, it will be seen, is now a purely internal affair. In the past, the ruling groups of all countries, although they might recognize their common interest and therefore limit the destructiveness of war, did fight against one another, and the victor always plundered the vanquished. In our own day they are not fighting against one another at all. The war is waged by each ruling group against its own subjects, and the object of the war is not to make or prevent conquests of territory, but to keep the structure of society intact.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
War has become a tool for ruling elites to control their own populations rather than to conquer other nations.
In simple terms: Governments use war to maintain internal order.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how power can manipulate conflict.
Themes
politics
power
control
war
society
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- public discourse
- civil liberties
- media narratives
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
social control
internal conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How does internal war differ from external conflict?
- What signs indicate a war is used for internal control?
A Different Perspective
War may also be driven by external threats and genuine defense needs.