Capitalism, War, and the Human Predisposition to Conflict: Can the Market Save Us from World War III?

There’s a strange beauty in the way life evolves. Over millions of years, we’ve been shaped by forces that are neither moral nor intentional—just survival mechanisms. We adapt, we change, we fight. That fight isn’t just physical; it’s biological, social, and psychological. And it’s often the very thing that keeps us human.

But what’s most fascinating—alarming, even—is how deeply ingrained our predisposition to war is. We don’t just choose to fight; we are constantly being remolded by war itself. War reshapes our societies, our bodies, our brains, our instincts. It makes us more wary, more aggressive, more tribal. War is a cycle that sustains itself.

And that brings us to a paradox:

> The same drive that makes us survive also makes us conflict.

This is the rabbit hole I find myself falling into: the more we try to survive, the more we prepare for conflict. And the more conflict shapes us, the more we become the kind of species that expects war.

Why War Is “Normal” for Humanity

From a purely evolutionary perspective, war is a strategy.

Humans evolved in environments where resources were limited, where survival depended on competition, and where strength and dominance often determined who lived and who died. Even our social structures—tribes, clans, nations—are built on the same foundations.

And yet, we also evolved to cooperate.

We’re not purely violent animals. We’re not purely peaceful either. We are a species built on contradiction:

our ability to destroy is matched by our ability to build.

So when we look at the possibility of World War III, we must understand that it is not simply a political event. It is a biological and social inevitability—a culmination of our survival instincts, magnified by modern technology.

But Here’s the Twist: War Also Makes Us War-Like

War isn’t just a response to conflict. War creates conflict.

When societies are forced into survival mode, they become more fearful, more protective, more aggressive. War changes:

Our social norms

Our moral boundaries

Our physiological stress responses

Our group identities

We become more polarized. We become more tribal. We become more willing to justify violence.

In short, war doesn’t just result from human nature—it reinforces human nature.

So Where Does Capitalism Fit In?

Capitalism is often blamed for war. And in many ways, that criticism is valid.

Capitalism encourages competition. It creates winners and losers. It concentrates power. It fuels greed. It encourages the belief that wealth equals survival.

But capitalism also offers something rare in human history:

A non-violent system of competition.

If we want to understand capitalism’s role in preventing World War III, we need to understand this key idea:

> Capitalism is a framework where conflict is resolved through markets instead of bullets.

In a capitalist system, power is measured in wealth, innovation, and influence—not just military might. The world’s most powerful countries often spend more energy on economic dominance than on open warfare.

And while capitalism may not be perfect, it does create incentives for peace.

Capitalism as a Peace Mechanism

Here are the ways capitalism can help reduce the likelihood of global conflict:

1. War becomes economically irrational

Global war destroys markets. It disrupts supply chains. It kills investment. It destroys infrastructure. For economies that rely on trade, war becomes a costly mistake.

Capitalism encourages states to avoid war because war is bad for business.

2. Competition becomes diplomatic instead of violent

In capitalism, nations can compete through:

Technology

Innovation

Cultural influence

Economic growth

These are forms of competition that don’t require bloodshed.

3. Capitalism creates mutual dependence

Global supply chains mean countries need each other. If one nation attacks another, it doesn’t just destroy the other country—it destroys the attacker’s economy too.

This interconnectedness creates a kind of forced peace.

4. Capitalism rewards creative problem-solving

Capitalism incentivizes innovation. It rewards those who find better ways to solve problems.

If humanity can harness that innovation toward diplomacy and cooperation, capitalism can become a tool for peace.

Can We Really “Outgrow” War?

The idea that we can move beyond war sounds naive, almost utopian. But consider this:

War has been a constant for most of human history. Yet we are also living in a period of unprecedented peace—especially among major powers.

Even if war remains possible, the form of war can change.

What if the future of conflict is not a battlefield, but a market?

What if World War III isn’t fought with bombs, but with:

economic warfare

technological dominance

cyber conflict

AI-driven competition

That might sound frightening, but it’s also a sign of progress. Because it means we’re moving away from direct violence.

Why Hope Matters

The most dangerous thing we can do is stop believing in peace.

If we lose hope, we create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

When we expect war, we prepare for war. When we prepare for war, we make war more likely.

Hope isn’t naive. Hope is strategic.

It’s the belief that our species can evolve beyond its instincts.

The Inevitable War… and the Inevitable Peace

World War III may be inevitable in the sense that conflict is inevitable.

But world peace is also inevitable—eventually.

Not because humans will suddenly become angels, but because:

our systems will evolve

our technology will change

our incentives will shift

our survival strategies will adapt

In other words, the same evolutionary forces that make war possible can also make peace possible.

Conclusion: Capitalism Can Be the Bridge

The human predisposition to war is real. It is part of our biology, our history, and our psychology. War makes us more war-like. War changes who we are.

But capitalism offers a different path.

It channels our competitive instincts into nonviolent arenas. It creates incentives for cooperation. It makes peace profitable.

If we are to avoid the catastrophe of World War III, capitalism may not be the villain we imagine. It may be the best tool we have to redirect our primal urges into something less destructive.

One day, perhaps, we will settle our disputes without bullets.

Maybe not with basketball games—though that would be hilarious.

But with trade, debate, innovation, and mutual dependency.

And in that sense, capitalism might be the last great invention that keeps humanity from becoming its own extinction.