So why are wars really fought? Why are so many people killed and why are countries left for dead? The answer lies in the realist ideology of nationalism. Nationalism, I believe is a self interested notion that gives power to a realist way of international politics. Nationalism is a cause for divide among the people of the earth. Divide create conflict. Conflict creates war.
War is therefore a symbol represented by a conflict of nationalist ideologies and realism. It is a difference of view based on self interest created by a particular language, culture, religion and identity. Nationalism can be a direct cause for war. For example the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are entities that directly go against a western identity and western ideologies. They have a particular identity and religion. Entities as such based on their specific views believe only in their own ways. They cannot accept the existence of another identity. They believe in a false dichotomy. When this approach is taken, wars are fought because in a false dichotomy there is but no room for any alternative choice.
In addition to nationalism, wars can take place due to ideological conflicts. The war between Communism and Capitalism was one of an ideological conflict that the power dynamics involved to be on the winning side. There is a very real goal of acquiring, retaining and exercising power within wars, whatever the cause may be.
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