What Can We Learn from the History of War? Peter Frankopan and Margaret Macmillan

In November 2020, Peter Frankopan and distinguished historian Margaret Macmillan joined us on Intelligence Squared. Macmillan discussed her book War: How Conflict Has Shaped Us, which covers over 2000 years of conflict. From prehistoric times to Afghanistan, Macmillan and Frankopan discussed how war has shaped human society, political organization, technology, and our ideologies.
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[@robertholland8283]

Good conversation about the history of war on humanity.

[@rmleighton1]

In 1967 I was 13 years old. On a side board the teacher chalk the major battles of the American Civil War listing the number of casualties. My heart sank in disbelief. 50 years later I’m watching you from Toronto.

[@fredgassit5418]

Very interesting, thank you very much!

[@elirothblatt5602]

Excited to watch! I’m a big fan of Silk Roads.

[@asadfami7623]

Yes, great book.

[@TheChocolatBlanc]

Thanks for the interview

[@conallgeneral8136]

what's the difference between a war a battle and a skirmish - it would be good to hear them discuss a robust typology of conflict and use of violence as a tool for historical analysis.

[@krazytroutcatcher]

The first thing we need to learn from the history of war, is that the history is written to the bias of victors. So humanity never really gets to learn any lessons from war due to corrupt politics and institutional propaganda.

[@gerry343]

'The thing that we have learned from history is that we have learned nothing from history.' Hegel.

[@josephleishman1982]

Im not so sure about that. Ive been reading Frankopan's book on the silk road and it seems survivers always equally record their perspectives, be it the purging of Christians by Zoroastrian Persia, or the much of Europe following the Hun invasion. Alexander the Great would repair the old cultural monuments, not destroy them. I think youre confusing information suppression and artefact survival.

[@graydational]

Considering that your defeat of Grendel is still popular reading, you're a fine one to talk (kidding)

[@ruthlee3585]

What is the book mentioned by Frankopen about women and war? I failed to search for it from google.

[@conallgeneral8136]

very enjoyable discussion thank you ! unfortunately M&s McMillan was holed below the waterline towards the end - why wouldn't she visit or experience war for herself? Her answer was that she doesn't know if or how it might impact her views on war- it essentially puts her in the camp of the armchair generals. nonetheless a great and stimulating discussion.

[@jayantochoudhury5631]

Interesting discussion on casus belli - just war. Also the author introspecting on firebombing of cities in Germany and Japan in WW2. Extrapolating this, whether the use of 2 A- bombs on Japan in August 1945 can ever be objectively and ethically justified. The author talks about nationalism as a motivating factor for war in the modern age. Yet major conflicts in the 21st century have been against non-state actors. Are we then reverting to the age when factors other than nationalism become the prime motive for mass violence?

[@davidlion8762]

Only the dead have seen the end of war . Lesson over.

[@OceanRoadbyTonyBaker]

Excellent

[@graydational]

39:57 Prophetic and accurate regarding tRUMP's calls to violent insurrection.

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

Clarity to the point of prescience.

[@dexterdextrow7248]

Well, sure women have a part in war, just a very limited part in the actual fighting. But they are by no means a inconsequential part in the propagation of it. Instilling the notion into children, partaking in public discourse. And during the world wars especially, they were of course essential in the production of the tools of war.

[@SwissOnZ]

Bravi

[@quartytypo]

At the first sign of War hightail it for Canada

[@ricdontap1]

HMS Warrior ????????

[@DjWellDressedMan]

Nothing, if there is money to made. USA just left Afghanistan after 20 years this week.

[@robertely686]

Warmongers squared more like.

[@Vincent112june]

Why are you publishing this nigh on a year later ?.

[@thomassampson1807]

there are no women fighting today and women do nurture and men do fight. you 'think' wrong miss

[@avv397]

This woman is just soooooooooboring going on and on and on about the blindingly obvious.Got a book to sell have you dear?

[@user-ls3xh3fk7q]

History is always returned by barbarians. Stay away from barbarians and don't let there ideology multiple in your country.

[@luapsrsajor6792]

Donald Trump is the best leader the World has ever known .

[@TheParadox_]

lol