Minds Almost Meeting War (Robin Hanson & Agnes Callard)
24 snips
Jan 18, 2026 Economist Robin Hanson and philosopher Agnes Callard explore the intriguing parallels between war and bankruptcy. They discuss the historical decline of war, questioning whether treaties and norms have created a safer world. The duo dissects how external threats can unify societies while also polarizing them. They delve into alternatives to war, like capitalist governance, and consider cultural competition without conflict. Provocatively, they touch on the potential benefits of conquest for poorly governed states, leading to a fascinating debate on capitalism versus war as drivers of societal advancement.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
War As A Selection Engine
- War can act like economic churn by eliminating losers and enabling winners to replace them over time.
- Robin Hanson argues this selection effect helps drive long-run innovation and organizational improvement.
No World Government To Toggle War
- Unlike firms where a government can bail out losers, there's no single global authority that can choose to start or stop wars.
- Agnes Callard emphasizes this limits direct policy 'application' of the selection argument about war.
Modern Norms Reduced War Rates
- The global decline in wars over the last century correlates with treaties, organizations, and changing norms against war.
- Hanson credits those norms and institutions as partial causes of reduced conflict and its consequences.