This groundbreaking survey explains why war remains predominant in today's world by showing how the spread of nationalism and capitalism has brought about modern warfare. It argues that the key explanation for modern conflict, which is characterized by violent conflicts between nation-states, civil war, and wars over resources, rests in the dialectical relationship between nation-states and capitalist modes of production, where nations have finite boundaries that capitalism seek to transcend in search of increased profits. Discussing issues such as globalization, global capitalism, North and Latin American continental policies, the nature of democracy, decolonization, and technology and military industrial complexes, this unique work challenges common approaches to international relations and peace studies.

This innovative, accessible work provides new insights into the causes and nature of modern war that will appeal to any student concerned with peace and violent conflict within the various fields of international relations, political economy, peace studies, and more.

Simon Stander is an economist and writer who taught for many years at Middlesex University in London, UK and at the UN mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. He was the founder of the journals Peace and Conflict Review and Peace and Conflict Monitor. He is also the author of Why Capitalism Survives Crises (2009).

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Why War: Approaching a Method
Chapter Three: Nationalism and Nation-states
Chapter Four: Capitalism
Chapter Five: The Americas
Chapter Six: Democracy, the 'State', War and Human Rights
Chapter Seven: Military-Industrial Complexes
Chapter Eight: Resource Wars
Chapter Nine: End of Empires, Decolonisation and War
Chapter Ten: Conclusions
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index