We, the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind &.and for these ends to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security &..have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims.
(Extracts from the Preamble to the United Nations Charter)

War must cease to be an admissible human institution.
Prof. Sir Joseph Rotblat F.R.S., Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (1908-2005)

CONTENTS

Introduction

1. The nature of war

2. What causes wars

3. Aggressiveness and the diversity of wars

4. Everyday factors supporting the institution of war

5. Pervasive cultural factors that maintain the institution of war

6. The machinery of war

7. Morality and legality

8. What can I do?

Further reading and some useful organisations

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Robert A. Hinde was a Coastal Command Pilot, flying Catalinas and Sunderlands, in World War 2. Afer the war he trained as a biologist/psychologist at Cambridge University. He was appointed a Royal Society Research Professor in 1963, and was Master of St. John s College, Cambridge from 1989 to 1994. He is President (recently Chair) of the British Pugwash Group, President of the Movement for the Abolition of War, and Patron of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness Programme.

The British Pugwash Group is an affiliate of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, recipient of the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize. Production and printing of this booklet was supported by an anonymous donation. Additional copies are available at £5.00 each (including shipping & handling), from Pugwash Limited, Ground Floor Flat, 63a Great Russell St., London,WC1B 3BJ.

Copyright, Robert A. Hinde