Does alcohol play a role in starting wars?

[Ivan Seeking]

Obviously not all wars come from drinking alcohol. But in this light, I have often wondered what contribution alcohol may have made to world history. How many world leaders have made world class decisions using alcohol laden brains? Consider the state that booze brings to the consumer - aggressive and one lacking good judgment. Does an intoxicated person consider the big picture?

Many leaders from history were heavy drinkers. How could this not be a significant factor in the big decisions?

 

[FZ+]

And as for the others, they don't drink enough. Whichever one it is, we all know that they aren't drinking exactly the right amount ...

 

[Sonty]

That's if they weren't taking heavier stuff like benzadrine.
Is this inspired by the recent Discovery Europe documentary "Altered Statesmen"?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Originally posted by Sonty
That's if they weren't taking heavier stuff like benzadrine.
Is this inspired by the recent Discovery Europe documentary "Altered Statesmen"?

I first considered this after watching my behavior and the behavior of friends change when we drank [long ago]. However, that Hitler and his troops were taking methamphetamines explains a lot...what a revelation! I would bet that drugs and alcohol, but especially alcohol have played a great role in history.

 

[megashawn]

Just in simple things alcohol has played a great factor.

An example, my early days of motorcycling. My dad was an average rider. Give him a shot or 4 of Jack Daniels and he was Jeremy McGrath.

Alcohol can be usefull, and really, as FZ said, they weren't taking the right amount.

A small amount to calm nerves can actually prove beneficial, especcially when nervousness is up.

So I'm sure if it affects little things in pretty much everyones lifes, it's also affected larger scaled things thru history.

 

[selfAdjoint]

Anyway, Bush at least is (now) a teetotaler.