KARACHI, March 8: Historian Dr Mubarak Ali traced the history of war and peace movements from olden times to the present day in a lecture delivered on Saturday.

The lecture, titled Imperial wars and international peace movement, was held under the aegis of a monthly, Badalti duniya, in Sidco Centre.

Dr Ali said that some intellectuals and leaders regarded wars necessary for the life of nations. “They contend that because war is an ongoing process, it is natural. It can, therefore, not be avoided. A nation becomes conscious of its power and capabilities only when it is at war with another nation. Only then divided groups and parties get united and sink their differences in the larger national interest. These intellectuals maintain that when a nation remains in peace for long, it becomes physically weak,” he said.

“Speaking about wars in Renaissance, Machiavelli says that it is imperative that rulers keep their people busy with wars and war hysteria. This prevents people from taking part in seditious activities.”

Dr Ali said powerless and decadent nations made much of their success in wars. “The poets and authors of weak nations speak passionately about these successes. For instance, our Poet of East speaks in the same way about past glory when he says Dasht to dasht hein darya bhi na chhorey hum nay.”

Speaking about peace movements, the historian said: “In 1815 the New York Peace Society was formed; in 1816 British Peace Society; in 1828 American Peace Society and in 1905 National Peace Council. From 1848 to 1851, these organizations held peace conferences. The suggestions put forward by them said that negotiations were required for the establishment of abiding peace. They said that in order do away with conflicts the race of arms should be ended.”