Conclusion

Abstract

The nature of war has changed as cultures have evolved, the changes being especially dramatic over the course of this century. Wars currently in progress or threatened vary greatly in complexity. We must thus be wary of generalisations about war and of drawing lessons from history too easily. As Hinsley (1987) emphasises, the increasing sophistication of weapons has been correlated with a greater hesitancy among states to go to war (see also Chapter 4, this volume), and since the mid-1960s has led to a major change in the thinking of Western states and strategic thinkers: whereas the chief purpose of military establishments was formerly to fight wars, now it must be to avoid them. (Whether, as Hinsley suggests, the advance of technology has made it possible for military establishments to achieve this new aim, or indeed whether, as he implies, advances in weapons technology are a desirable route to peace are, of course, much more questionable issues.)