Why Democracy Is Inherently Anti-War
Democracy functions to obviate violent conflict on many fronts
The most notable way that democracy is anti-war is in that it largely removes expansionist desires. A despot knows that whatever power they can bring to their nation can serve to bolster their own strength for life, but in a democracy, where the leaders are regularly replaced, there’s not much incentive to grow a country’s borders in this way. I will raise some exceptions around asymmetric warfare in one of the proceeding paragraphs, and there is still a patriotic desire to strengthen one’s country’s standing, but it is primarily the egos of conquerors that has driven expansionist ambitions — both historically and in the present day. With ego put to the side, one can ensure their nation’s long-term well-being by employing less risky and more humane methods.
Similarly, any human impulses around anger and a craving for vengeance are more likely to be curtailed under a democratic system. The checks and balances in place, which distribute the reins of power among many different hands, serve to inhibit rash and unwise actions. A well-designed democracy is inherently clunky and inefficient. It doesn’t allow for the swiftness of streamlined decision-making, and this ensures time for tempers to die down and an opportunity for cooler heads to prevail.
