Civilized and uncivilized war?

Question

Could you breifly explain these to me? I'm very confused...

War and violence is sometimes described as "uncivilized." In what way is, in fact, warfare "civilized" behavior. Why is this so?

What does this mean for the perpetuation of a civilization?

What, then, is civilization?

Answer 1

A crude example

The way

The US military fights =civilized

The way Terrorists fight = uncivilized

Answer 2

it means America must fight by rules and the enemy doesent, f*cked up huh?

Answer 3

Fair enough question.

The utopian conditions that say a liberal would consider of war is not to have one at all, to sit down with all involved parties and be able to discuss, compromise, subsidize whatever is necessary and come up with a deal that all parties can agree with.

Problem with this line of thinking is its dangerous. These little idiots think in these terms in a world where they can see it doesn't work. Russia didn't say anything to anyone regarding Georgia...they just went in and did what they wanted. Not only attacking and killing, but also destroying their infrastructure and stealing gear from the country at will.

The UN has proven itself to be a paper tiger. They've never been able to reign in the dictators and evil doers of the world.

Personally I can't understand why the Civil war was called Civil...from the accounts of history, it really wasn't.

But a truely civilized war would entail rules of engagement or operation. Say not attacking medics and red cross units. Not openly firing on the civilian populus of the cities and countries...but taking the fight directly to the militia....which is why the Iraqie war is a little different than all the others. a few civilians have taken up arms as unlegal enemy combatants or harboring extremists and terrorists.

Civilized warefare would be caring for another countries civilian populus in general to minimize collateral damage, or not just nuking the entire area...which would end the conflict real quick...but would cause much infrastructure damage and kill many innocent.

As in the rules of deadly force taught in the military, your not allowed to have a dis-propotionate response to an action. your only allowed to meet force with force.

Answer 4

"Civilized" warfare is generally described as the conflict between international "uniformed" forces in which civilians and important infrastructure are not targeted in and out of combat.

As for what is civilization, I have no clue.

I don't believe "civilized warfare" has ever been totally used.  The US of today is probably the closest to it, but even then we f-up and kill civilians and destroy important infrastructure sometimes.  However, I believe it is safe to say that we don't intentionally target civilians.

As for "uncivilized warfare", that is the easier of the two.  Total warfare would be considered uncivilized.  The strategy is to completely destroy your opponent through whatever means nessesary.  This includes killing civilians, leveling entire cities, and completely destroying infrastructure and supplies to hamper the enemies ability to fight.  Other things include terror tactics.  Suicide bombings in the Middle East are a good example, as is the cutting off of limbs and raping women in Africa.

I hope that is some explanation of warfare.

Answer 5

I think civilised war would exist if only the millitary forces were involved on both sides, war prisoners were treated with human rights in mind, etc.

Once the civillians are hurt/ killed, ect, or warfare rules are broken -then that's uncivilised.

War is almost never civilised..

And what US are doing is certainly not civilised. Hopefully Obama will get ellected and do something about that.  

Answer 6

I agree with both of the people who answered. War is a nasty business but sorry to say it is never going away....at least as long as mankind inhabits this planet. To define war in civilized terms is to do battle according to a set outline of rules such as the Geneva Convention. Basically it means that military forces of the warring nations will not commit atrocities against mankind such as wanted killing of people (i.e. murder of civilians/prisoners/women/children), to not torture prisoners or non-combatants to gain military information, to assist and help the oppressed peoples in things as medical aid, food, etc. Basically the basic needs of life. Not to commit (our rules) to commit any felonious crimes against the opposing armed forces or their citizens ( Rape, molestation, murder,assault, etc.) once you have captured anyone or occupy their territory. Uncivilized war: wanton killing and destruction of civilians, their homes ,or cities, brain-washing, torture, biological and chemical warfare, no medical aid, harsh treatment (usually resulting in death of the prisoners through forced labor, almost non-exsistant medical aid, food, sanitation, beatings, etc.) rape, murder, well, you name it. I been to war but more important I've been to and in combat that war causes. I've learned that unintentional killing of civilians happens (when a round leaves the end of the barrel of a weapon and someone its not meant for gets in its way...to bad.) I've also learned that a lot of non-combatants are most often spying and passing information on to the enemy. If caught red-handed in the act, I had no problem being judge, jury, and executioner. I have seen up real close what the enemy can do to people who are both non-combatants or combatants and believe me it is very hard to control ones actions when that happens. I really hate to inform you that most Americans who have never been in combat don't know that that don't know. What amazes me is that the prevalent attitude of a lot of people is that they can't believe what goes on during a war. Christ! I was sent to kill the guy who was trying to kill me. I mean it wasn't a h**l-o, shake his hand, experiance and after hopefully killing him once...I would walk up to him and kill him again. That way, I knew that I could walk away from that area with my back facing him. You revert back to your basic survival instincts and training to stay alive. I hate to inform you but the human race is the most vicious thing that inhabits this planet. It's a shame......Oh yeah, just so you know.....a professional soldier's most sincere wish and prayer is that he gets put out of a job.  

Answer 7

Uncivilized war is going against the Geneva convention, guerilla warfare, killing civilians, and using biological or chemical weapons.

Civilized is following some standards to just duke it out with numbers and technology.

The uncivilized warfare is what more than likely would end a civilization.

Civilization is a culture, nationality, or country.  It is a group of people within a certain time period and geography with unique characteristics.  It includes their religion, technology, language, architecture, customs, and other attributes common among the people.

Answer 8

There is no such thing as a civilized war.  

Answer 9

Honestly, there's no difference.  The organized killing of other people is uncivilized, period.

The only difference is when one side is getting their butts beat, they look down on the other side and say they're fighting uncivilized or fighting dirty/unfairly.

As far as terrorists/terrorism goes, all terrorism is is a form of unconventional warfare.  Ever hear the expression "one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist"?  It just depends what side of the fence you're on.

You may say it's uncivilized if a man/woman wears explosives and walks into a crowded market and blows him/herself up, but if the explosives come from a fighter jet, then it's civilized?

Answer 10

I don't know if war can be considered civilized.

In past wars we shared values with the enemy. We actually respected each other to a point. We may have disagreed on major points, but a good soldier was a good soldier. In some sense that might be construed as "more civilized" than today's war. But we still killed each other.

War today is more about intangibles. We fight about beliefs. We fight about ways of life. We fight about the very values upon which we once used to agree. Where we used to trust our enemy's intentions, we no longer can. Our enemy does things that we find repugnant -- uncivilized, Our enemy hides behind non-combatants because he knows we hate to fire on them. On the other hand, the enemy targets those very non-combatants to instill terror among them. The enemy would attack our system of government and laws; and yet they expect to be protected by that very system of government and laws.

Bottom line: war is an uncivilized undertaking. People who expect it to be fought within a set of rules ignored by one faction want the other faction to lose.