#273 – Chris Blattman: War and Violence

This podcast features Lex Fridman interviewing Chris Blattman about his book, "Why We Fight," which explores the broad definition of war as prolonged violent conflict between groups. The conversation analyzes the causes of war, categorizing them into strategic factors (like commitment problems and uncertainty) and human factors (ideologies and misperceptions). Blattman argues that war is usually costly for everyone involved and often avoidable through negotiation, highlighting the rarity of war throughout history despite its perceived inevitability. The discussion uses examples like the Ukraine conflict and gang wars in Medellin to illustrate these points, ultimately emphasizing the importance of accountable power structures and international cooperation to prevent conflict.