IMPACT OF WARS ON EVOLUTION OF SOCIETIES

Abstract

Armed conflicts have been accompanying the development of humankind for centuries. But wars appeared only when states were established, in which armed forces, structures specialising in fighting, were distinguished.The impact of wars on the changes of societies can be discussed by taking account of their consequences to the lifestyle and level of civilisation. The continuous improvement of empowering results in the development of not only weapons, but also the techniques of its production, which affects the development of civilization as well. In turn, the improvement of armed forces has an impact on the development of the organisation of social life and existing institutions.Of course, wars lead to the destruction of the achievements of civilization and human beings, which has a negative effect on social progress. However, the emergence of increasingly dangerous weapons, including thermonuclear and chemical ones, results in the situation in which future war becomes a serious threat not only for individual societies, but even for humankind and nature. The principle of si vis pacem - para bellum known for centuries should be modified into si vis pacem non para bellum.