PREVIEW: WAR: why don't we stop having them? | S02E06 | Political Reality
Summary
Hosts Steven and Andrea open the episode by sharing personal memories of 9/11, using the event to illustrate how war impacts daily life. They then transition into a deep dive into the causes of war, beginning with ancient perspectives from Sun Tzu and Thucydides. The discussion explores historical theories on conflict, including the concept of the "just war," and sets the stage for analyzing modern political science research on why nations fight.
Topics discussed
Steve's experience at a clinic on 9/11
Andrea's story of waking up early on 9/11
Why 9/11 matters for studying international relations
Personal losses and the surreal atmosphere after 9/11
The 'Rip Up the Syllabus' moment in class
Episode roadmap: causes of war from ancient to modern
Steve's initial thoughts on the causes of war
Sun Tzu and the history of thinking about war
The concept of compromise after prolonged conflict
The idea of a 'Just War' and World War II
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