The Institution of War

War must be regarded as an institution which has evolved over time. If it's incidence is to be reduced, the forces that maintain it as an institution must be understood. In this book the nature of war and the factors that sustain it are considered from diverse perspectives - anthropology, history, political science, theology, philosophy, international law, economics, psychiatry and biology.

Acknowledgements - Contributors - Aggression and the Institution of War; R.A.Hinde - Editorial: The Nature of War - War: Natural but not necessary; J.Mueller - Some Psychological Bases of the Institution of War; H.Middleton - History and War; H.Pogge von Strandmann - An Anthropological View of War and Violence; E.Gellner - Editorial: The Institution of War - Sacrifice; S.Sykes - Nurturing the Institution of War: 'Just War' Theory's 'Justifications' and Accommodations; R.E.Santoni - Legal Bases of the Institution of War; J.G.Collier - In Defence of the Laws of War; C.Greenwood - A Note on Patriotism/Nationalism; R.A.Hinde - Imaginings of War: Some Cultural Supports of the Institution of War; J.M.Winter - Do Modern Economies require War or Preparations for Warfare?; M.Kaldor - Defence Decision Making and Accountability; S.Elworthy - The Institution of Conscription: the Case of Finland; B.Phillips - Editorial: Conclusion - Index