World War

[carrie]

Just one hundred years since the start of World War 1, millions killed during that conflict and in the years past, what had we learnt and was any of it worth it?

[Remus]

The German philosopher Hegel wrote that the only thing we learn from
history is that we don't learn from history. I'm not sure he was right.

In the 20th century we learnt after 2 world wars that Europe must unite to
prevent future wars on the continent.

I'm probably alone in believing this to be the most important political decision
made in my lifetime.

[Zooropa]

The German philosopher Hegel wrote that the only thing we learn from
history is that we don't learn from history. I'm not sure he was right.

In the 20th century we learnt after 2 world wars that Europe must unite to
prevent future wars on the continent.

I'm probably alone in believing this to be the most important political decision
made in my lifetime.

Yes I think you probably are alone in thinking that.

[Zooropa]

Just one hundred years since the start of World War 1, millions killed during that conflict and in the years past, what had we learnt and was any of it worth it?

It depends on what side you ask, for the allies it wasn't a question of learning lessons, they were responding to aggression.

I get frustrated and angry at the myth that uniting in Europe has prevented war.

The awarding of the Nobel peace prize to the EU was a sick joke.

Where is Ukraine and Bosnia?

Where was the former Yugoslavia?

The EU, if not dismantled will create what it set out to supposedly prevent.

In any case, if anyone believes what we have in Europe today was set up to prevent war then they are naïve in the extreme.

It was set up to control and regulate.

[Remus]

Geopolitically the above is pure bunkum, plus some opinion
with few signs of any real knowledge.

[Zooropa]

Geopolitically the above is pure bunkum, plus some opinion
with few signs of any real knowledge.

Id expect nothing less from a Europhile.

You will eventually lose - the people will only swallow bs for so long.

[Dusak]

The only positive thing to come out of any of the wars over this stated period, it prevented the planet from becoming over populated and if that were not a fact, today we would be witnessing an even greater carnage across the globe due to that overpopulation. Estimated total losses across the globe up to present time is in excess of two hundred and fifty million.




Quote:- ''Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. ... the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.''

— Hermann Göring at the Nuremberg trials, April 18, 1946[70]
Wikipedia.

[Remus]

Thanks for the Göring quotation, Dusak. He was dead right. It supports
my 'naïve' belief about how much we have gained from the EU in terms of peace
between its members. I am very critical of the EU in several areas, but not this one.

The 'in/out' referendum (if there is one) will doubtless bring it all to the fore.

Incidentally, Zooropa, it was an EU peacekeeping force that brought fragile peace
to Bosnia/Serbia (though not without some disastrous errors).

[carrie]

Please explain Remus how joining the European Union has prevented wars between the European nations. I have heard this argument so often but just dont see when or where it has.

[Zooropa]

Thanks for the Göring quotation, Dusak. He was dead right. It supports
my 'naïve' belief about how much we have gained from the EU in terms of peace
between its members. I am very critical of the EU in several areas, but not this one.

The 'in/out' referendum (if there is one) will doubtless bring it all to the fore.

Incidentally, Zooropa, it was an EU peacekeeping force that brought fragile peace
to Bosnia/Serbia (though not without some disastrous errors).

Your claim was that a united Europe prevented war - obviously if a force of any description had to go in and restore peace then your statement is proved wrong and, i might also point out "lacking in knowledge"

Naïve indeed.