War has been part of every living creature's existence. What makes you think that war between humans will ever disappear? Especially as we are devolving philosophically and culturally.

I very much disagree. War is not equivalent to dictatorship, nor does it necessarily lead to one. War, as Clausewitz said, is politics by other means. It is a tool, which could be used for bad purposes or for good purposes. When subjected to a dictatorship, war is a positive action to free oneself from that dictatorship. As far as I know, Ayn Rand was never against self-defense; if war is used to protect or free the society from evil, then it is a good thing. As a last resort, for sure, but still preferable to the primary evil.

How often have the dictators been made by one government and then have to be fought to prevent the take over from the same benefactor? Terrorism was exported by America for many years, the removal of the democratically elected president of Iran to install the Shah who then used secret police to brutalized his people. Selling weapons of mass destruction to Sadam Hussien to kill the Iranians, his own people then complaining that it was a threat to 'our' security. America has meddled in the affairs of other countries for many decades, don't be surprised if sometimes they don't like it and decide to import terrorism to America. Quit exporting terrorism and the threat of import will be drastically reduced.

What dictatorships have learned is that if you steal everything from people then the dictator is poor also. Let them have enough freedom to believe that they are actually free and the slaves will work much harder, produce more and more can be stolen. It is important to keep the masses entertained, tax them to build the stadiums then give them the games. The collective can name the sports stars, tell others about their lives and families but have no idea they are not free because the government tells them they are free as long as the citizen asks permission from the state to work, own property, use property, pay more extortion (taxes) because you used the property to make money and the citizen will be happy.

There is no choice when choosing the lesser of two evils. Would you choose the lesser poison knowing either would kill you but trying to choose the least painful. To choose war is to choose the dictatorship that proposes the war, you have chosen both.

A little exaggerated, perhaps? Lincoln did not free the slaves around the world. In fact, it still exists.

And perhaps many more to come.

I believe you just stated the cause for the Declaration of Independence and subsequent Revolutionary War. +1

Some people are better than others. That is not related to rights and does not cause wars.

Since it is better to choose the lesser of two evils, war is preferable to dictatorship.

I'm afraid that China will start the next war. Despite their economic progress their leader and I suspect any in the top leadership still abide by their ancient emperor mentality. Despite what Ayn Rand states in those excerpts that many countries including China wouldn't understand that philosophy.

Lincoln freed slavery around the world with a peaceful proclamation...defending it is the challenge...

Look at the history of the world, and you will see Ayn Rand is right. The downfall of every free society has been collectivism, the rise of a dictator, and the fall of the civilization. Over, and over again.

The only sure way to eliminate war is to promote and respect natural rights and capitalism. Wars can't happen unless some people think they are better than others.

Hip hop or rap? Rap definitely.

I also did work on military stuff years ago. Air Force engineering contracts. It was very interesting work.

She says dictatorship causes wars and laissez-faire capitalism prevents them. I suspect that's true, and I really hope it is. Gov'ts like China are doing their best to be authoritarian and grant their citizens freedoms only in areas that produce wealth and don't threaten the gov't's power. The gov't granting rights to the people is backwards, but they're trying their best to make it work. They may have some isolated advantages of being able to consult with experts on a problem and not have to deal with voters who are not as knowledgeable as they think they are. But I believe respecting people's rights and philosophy of liberty will win and that war between nations will mostly disappear within decades. I really hope I'm right about this.

I grew p in a military (Army) family, by older brother went to Wet Point. I tried to enlist ut couldn't - bad heart. I worked for almost 35 years designing, testing etc on weapon systems. I am proud of the work I did. However, I no longer work in that area. I can't build weapons anymore.I stated having nightmares about the work and the applications it was being put to.
I know the work made the United states safer and militarily strong, still a needed thin I guess. Having shildren ade me start to wonder about things. Having grandchildren has convinced me that there must be a better way to solve the problems of the worls. Howver as long as there are terrorists, dictators, and the like abounding in the world some form of military and thus war will be present.

Becoming a parent made me do two things. 1- I became an Objectivist. 2- I hate war. Pretty simple, really. War should be viewed as a very last resort. The whole Iraq/"WMD" thing should go down as a lesson...

lol

Not sure I agree with Hip-hop being 3rd but definitely in the top 5. the other two being Communism and fanaticism of any type.