Why War?

Exploring the narratives behind military conflicts, the book delves into the cultural logic that shapes nations' decisions to go to war. Philip Smith argues that traditional realist explanations are inadequate, suggesting that wars are influenced by the stories we tell. Through case studies of the Iraq War, Gulf War, and Suez Crisis, he identifies four narrative types—mundane, tragic, romantic, and apocalyptic—that frame these conflicts. By analyzing how these narratives define good versus evil and other binary codes, Smith reveals the complex interpretations of crises that justify the sacrifices of war.