Freud

My objection to Freud's Civilization and its Discontents is primarily that he says that the war committed by large groups against each other is an indication of human aggression and violence. I will not deny that those in power frequently want to expand their power, though whether power corrupts or corrupt people get power I'm not sure. However, while the Huns and the Mongols may be good examples of human aggression being set free and running wild, I don't know enough about these to comment. The crusaders, on the other hand, were operating out of a sense of piety, not aggression - though the popes who ordered the crusades may have been aggressive, those who went on them were likely more following the call of their leaders, and the World War even more so - having read All Quiet on the Western Front, the soldiers were not aggressive toward their enemies but rather always following the orders of their leaders and seeking glory for their countries when they joined the army.