Ask HN: Is World War III imminent?

7 points

14 years ago

I have recently read Niall Ferguson’s “War of the World", which gives a new history of the 20th century. One that was one long 100-year war spanning from set up for WWI which led to WWII which led to Cold War.

He argues that the same types of thinking and scenarios are unfolding once again in the 21st century, “Three things seem to me necessary to explain the extreme violence of the 20th century. ... These may be summarized as ethnic conflict, economic volatility and empires in decline.”

This is a very serious question of mine and would like to hear any thoughts, speculations, etc on the matter.

A quick review of the book: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/books/review/Montefiore.t.html?pagewanted=all

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