"Romantic militarism" refers to a
widespread, European intellectual phenomenon that made its appearance at
the time of the French Revolution and carried through our two world
wars, a belief that war was THE way to enforce justice. The only
solution for the injustice in the world is a redemptive cataclysm that
will bring total freedom and self-expression.
The fact that war brought enormous death, destruction and man-made disaster was secondary.
But
after many conflicts the romance has been drained from war. We realize
more and more that human life is precious, and the days of glorifying
war are behind us.
Perhaps
it is time to not only beat our swords into plow-shares, but to also
change the traits that we value most. Glory, honor, per-eminence,
manliness, heroism and other symptoms of excess testosterone can be
downgraded.
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