We cannot have world peace because we all possess serious character flaws to some degree. Most people, perhaps half of all people are able to control their base impulses. Conflict arises when the rest give in to their selfish impulses.

What are those flaws? Look into your own heart and see if you have any:
- Greed,
- Laziness,
- Selfishness,
- Ambition,
- Or Lust.

I do, and so does everyone else. As good as I try to be there are still urges to live comfortably while doing less work. I choose to overcome those impulses by restraining myself. I respect the rights of others and obey a moral code. I believe the world could benefit from more people making such an effort.

Whose standards do you follow? I was raised Christian and derive my moral boundaries from my faith. However, even Christianity has been used as justification for violence and conquest. The interpretation of any religion is and must be internal.

The worst threat to peace and security today is Islamic terrorist. They’ve been attacking innocents the world over out of some misplaced understanding of their religion. Most of the world’s Muslims reject their form of faith but they’re just as powerless as the rest of us at stopping it.

I don’t believe it’s possible.

I don’t believe most aggressors would abandon violence because the benefits of exploiting one’s neighbors are great. The more people you can subjugate for your own desires, the more you can amass. You gain wealth, power status and personal privileges.

A European lord had his territories and a population that generated income for his household. By conquering his neighboring territory he gains land, servants and power. Eventually, an ambitious lord can become a king by conquest; he can build a nation.

The Tokagawas made a nation of Japan through conquest. The first Chin Emperor did the same in China. Rome transformed the world through the power of the Imperial legions. Before them, Alexander of Macedonia conquered the known world.

Money, fame, power and legend; the draw will always be there for people who reach for it. The modern variable has been the United States. America has changed the usual order of history by not using its power for global conquest.

In fact, it has come to the aid of threatened nations many times in the past. If more of the world’s power nations had the courage to step up to defend the defenseless, then we would be much closer to world peace.