Armed conflict Quote by Steven Pinker
“Climate change could produce a lot of misery and waste without necessarily leading to large-scale armed conflict, which depends more on ideology and bad governance than on resource scarcity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
Climate change may cause suffering but is unlikely to spark major wars; conflict stems more from ideology and governance than resource scarcity.
In simple terms: Climate harm doesn’t automatically cause war; politics do.
Key Takeaway
Address governance and ideology to prevent conflict.
Themes
climate change
conflict
politics
governance
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
academic
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- policy making
- international relations
- resource management
Key Concepts
political science
environmental studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies improve governance to mitigate climate‑related tensions?
- What role does ideology play in environmental disputes?
A Different Perspective
Resource scarcity can still be a trigger in certain contexts.
