One of 250 short talks given by Alan Macfarlane in 2022 on the theme of 'What I have learnt about myself and the world', which will be published as a book.
Civil wars are far more lethal because there are no rules of engagement, no limits of exploitation, much of the conflict is score-settling from before the war started, and the sides are so evenly matched that battles are not decisive but prolonged - if marauding murders even self-organise into battles. It amazes me that many people think that anything good would emerge from revolution. That is magical thinking at its worst.
Civil wars are far more lethal because there are no rules of engagement, no limits of exploitation, much of the conflict is score-settling from before the war started, and the sides are so evenly matched that battles are not decisive but prolonged - if marauding murders even self-organise into battles.
It amazes me that many people think that anything good would emerge from revolution. That is magical thinking at its worst.
As always thanks a lot for your profound wisdoms Professor MacFarlane 🙏🏼💗🤗👍💗🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼