SpanishMatMaster
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So, I start, giving many sorted by importance in the history of the world, descending. I would love to get answers formatted that way, but of course you answer as / if you like.
1. Compulsion.
The most important reasons, applicable to many soldiers and important for many of them, even decisive. Just not having any other choice, facing prison, death, misery or social exclusion for not fighting.
2. Profession.
I mean... it is a job. And even in wartime, people are not constantly trying to kill you ( BTW places where this was "less false as usual", like the trenches of the WWI, show the psychological effect, which you do not find in other warriors of other times ). The rest of the time, and of course in peacetime, it is a pretty safe job, with assured income, a certain social position (and even authority over civilians), chances to prosper and a lot of free time (there are exceptions, of course).
I think this reason is so universal and so important in many cases that it gets to the second position. Just a job, a way to make a living.
3. Greed.
Less important now in industrialized countries as before, but still important in other environments and in the past. War is a chance to make a fortune if you know how to profit from the disgrace of others. The prohibition of plundering was often a reason for mutiny. From the second son of a Duke who wants to create an own principality in current Lebanon to the foot Catholic soldier walking under the banners of Wallenstein (here besides the motivation 1 - compulsion - when fleeing from misery created by the war itself).
4. Glory.
It may be surprising for me to mention a reason quoted more by aristocrats and leaders, and not the normal soldier. If it were only for this, I would put it in a far lower position, because it affected only few soldiers. But it does affect also the normal warrior: glory within the town, within the family. Respect by your peers. Admiration of the ladies when you come home. Recognition in the town inn and special rights given to the veterans. These things count, a lot.
5. Friendship.
Glory affects why they go to fight. Friendship often affects why they remain fighting. As described many times, the comrades of the unit become with the time and hardships often "brothers". Quoting my memory a veteran war journalist and expert war historian Arturo Perez-Reverte...
quote:
...and there they stand, keeping the lines with firm despair besides their banners, caring only about themselves and their comrades, giving a fuck about King and Country. Or maybe it was that, at that point, King and Country was exactly that, their swearing comrade there, their injured comrade there, and their own skin.
5. Rage.
Hate against evil done to you or "your own", real or imaginary and with a board definition of "your own", is for me a very important reason for going to war. Propaganda uses it massively, describing the unspeakable ( ;) ) crimes of the "others". Of course, it is also sometimes the bitter truth felt in your own family.
6. Patriotism.
Only a pretty recent reason (not that there was no patriotism before the nation - states but it was far less widespread) and connected to imperialism more often than not, and to rage the rest of the time (it seems to me). Not really a frequent or important reason.
So, that's my list :) Yours...?
< Message edited by SpanishMatMaster -- 6/9/2013 6:08:07 AM >
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Humanist (therefore Atheist), intelligent, cultivated and very humble :)
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“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, pause and reflect.” (Mark Twain)
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Why do (non-US) warriors fight? - 
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RE: Why do (non-US) warriors fight? - 
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