Benedict Anderson's Theory: Why Wars Have Become More Violent Since the French Revolution

Political scientist Benedict Anderson argues that since the French Revolution, warfare has become increasingly violent, attributing this to the rise of nationalism. Anderson, best known for his concept of 'imagined communities,' suggests that the nation-state, as a constructed entity, has become a primary driver of conflict. The article, part of a series on peace, explores why the majority of people continue to support wars that harm them, despite the potential to prevent them. It references the theories of Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Erich Fromm, Hannah Arendt, and Theodor W. Adorno, who all highlight human character traits that contribute to war. The piece questions the true power of nationalism, a phenomenon that surrounds us daily but is rarely critically examined. The author, Michael Jaeger, writes for the German newspaper 'der Freitag'. The article does not provide specific dates or locations but focuses on the historical and theoretical analysis of war's causes.