"In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people, to whom war is always pernicious even when successful"

This quote by Leo Tolstoy is an effective statement about the function of federal governments in war. He is stating that all wars throughout history have been started by governments, not by the people. He thinks that war is constantly hazardous, even when it succeeds, which federal governments are the only ones who benefit from it. He is suggesting that federal governments are not acting in the very best interests of individuals when they start wars, which individuals are the ones who suffer the most from them. He is also indicating that federal governments need to be held liable for the wars they begin, which they should be more responsible in their decision-making. Tolstoy's quote is a reminder that governments should not be permitted to start wars without considering the consequences for individuals.