War is Driven by the Desire for Status and Belonging

War is not primarily fought over resources or ideologies, but rather driven by the innate human desires for status and belonging. These desires are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history and play a significant role in why individuals and nation-states go to war. The drive for status compels individuals to seek recognition and respect within their groups, often resulting in violent actions to gain higher social status. On the other hand, the drive to belong prompts individuals to form and defend their group identities, leading to conflicts between different groups. These drives interact and can escalate in the presence of leaders who have spent their lives fighting status challenges and ideologies that polarize different groups. By understanding these psychological underpinnings of war, we can more effectively address and prevent violence by addressing the need for status and promoting alternative ways of gaining recognition and belonging.