Benjamin Ginsberg, a political science professor, argues in 'The Worth of War' that war, despite its horrors, has led to advancements in nation-states, technology, medical progress, civil liberties, and rational thinking. He explores how war has shaped statehood, power dynamics, and technological progress, and how it has reduced state violence over time. The podcast delves into the evolution of warfare, including the mobilization of citizen soldiers in the French Revolution, and discusses the psychological impact of living in peaceful times.