Quote by E. J. Hobsbawm
War has been the most convenient pseudo-solution for the problems of twentieth-century capitalism. It provides the incentives to modernization and technological revolution which the market and the pursuit of profit do only fitfully and by accident, it makes the unthinkable (such as votes for women and the abolition of unemployment) not merely thinkable but practicable. What is equally important, it can re-create communities of men and give a temporary sense to their lives by uniting them against foreigners and outsiders. This is an achievement beyond the power of the private enterprise economy when left to itself.
Summary
This quote suggests that war has served as a convenient solution to the challenges faced by capitalism in the twentieth century. It argues that war provides the necessary motivation for modernization and technological advancement, which the market and profit-driven endeavors often lack. Additionally, war can bring about social and political changes that may have seemed impossible before, such as granting voting rights to women or addressing unemployment. Moreover, it can temporarily unite individuals against a common enemy and foster a sense of community. The quote suggests that war can achieve this unifying effect, something that the private enterprise economy alone struggles to accomplish.
Topics
War
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