Notes on the political economy of war

Written in an essayistic style, this paper explores some of the facets of the complex dynamics of modern warfare, probing the dynamic nature of conflicts; the role of technology and technological progress – the means of destruction as distinguished from the means of production – in modern war; the role of the United States in the globalization of warfare; asymmetric war between civilization and barbarism; and new distinctions between good and bad war, together with new concepts of heroism and mercenaryism. The paper also touches on the socio-cultural impacts of war, including its potential to foster unity or exacerbate divisions within societies.