The chief reason warfare is still with us is neither a secret death-wish of the human species, nor an irrepressible instinct of aggression, nor, finally and more plausibly, the serious economic and social dangers inherent in disarmament, but the simple fact that no substitute for this final arbiter in international affairs has yet appeared on the political scene.

Summary

This quote suggests that war continues to exist because there is no alternative to resolve disputes on a global scale. It argues against the notion that war is driven by a inherent desire for violence or aggression in humans. Similarly, it dismisses the idea that war is perpetuated due to economic or social risks associated with disarmament. Instead, the quote asserts that no other method or institution has emerged to effectively replace war as the ultimate decision-maker in international affairs.

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