Peace, and the need for War

I have a dislike for those who say things like, "Violence solves nothing", and similar naivete. People who proclaim peace to be the highest possible ideal, and honestly think that worldwide peace should be embraced, and that no violence, for any reason or end, should be pursued.

Peace requires war. This is not to say that "Might makes right" or "The strong should dominate the weak", or any similar things said by the proponents of the opposite side. Simply that, while people of peace build and beautify the world, people of battle make it possible for them to do so. The problem with a world of perfect peace is this: It only takes one nonbeliever in that philosophy, to destroy and dominate the rest. Without people willing to do violence, to fight and defend right, beauty, and tranquility, these things cannot last long.

Proponents of peace like to set Ghandi as the pinnacle to attain. However, I think it is incorrect to claim him as a model of nonviolence. He did commit violence. It was simply directed differently than what is the norm. He directed his physical violence inward, rather than outward. Outwardly, however, he did battle mentally and emotionally against his enemies, attempting to instill them with guilt, remorse, and other emotional pains. Sun Tzu, author of The Art Of War, would have admired his strategy.