Great power war

Abstract

The risk of a great power war in the 21st century is a significant and pressing problem. While such conflicts have become less common since World War II, there are several reasons to believe that the next such war could be more devastating. The increase in military technology, nuclear arsenals, and economic capabilities of the world’s most powerful countries means that a future war could kill far more people than any conflict in history. The risk is further heightened by the possibility of accidental war caused by technical malfunction or miscalculation, or by intentional decisions made by leaders who perceive themselves to be in a favorable position to achieve their goals through force. Although there is some possibility of human extinction or societal collapse from a great power war, the risk to the long-term future is more likely to come from the effects of a large-scale conflict that disrupts global institutions, power balances, and technological development. – AI-generated abstract