Why War? (Guest: Richard Overy)
Download MP3Heartland’s Tim Benson is joined by renowned historian Richard Overy to discuss his new book, Why War? They chat about why has war been such a consistent presence throughout the human past, and indeed in the human present, and what are the major drivers and motivations for war, how each has contributed to organized conflict, and whether humanity will ever evolve away from organized conflict. They also discuss the impulses embedded in human biology and psychology, the incentives to conflict developed through cultural evolution, and how competition for resources, or conflicts stirred by the passions of belief, the effects of ecological stresses, the drive for power in leaders and nations, and the search for security all contribute to this phenomenon that is unique human.
Get the book here: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324021742
Show Notes:
The Telegraph: James Holland – “Why humanity’s appetite for war will never be sated”
Times Literary Supplement: Edward N. Luttwak – “Battle grounds”
https://www.the-tls.co.uk/politics-society/politics/why-war-richard-overy-book-review-edward-luttwak
The Wall Street Journal: Dominic Green – “‘Why War?’ Review: Nature, Nurture and Violence”
Creators and Guests
Host
Tim Benson
Ill Literacy, the newest podcast from The Heartland Institute, is helmed by Tim Benson, Senior Policy Analyst for Heartland’s Government Relations team. Benson brings on authors of new book releases on topics including politics, culture, and history on the Ill Literacy podcast. Every episode offers listeners the author’s unique analysis of their own book release. Discussions often shift into debate between authors and Benson when ideological differences arise, creating unique commentary that can’t be found anywhere else.
