"There are no warlike people - just warlike leaders"

Ralph Bunche's assertion, "There are no warlike people – just warlike leaders", challenges a longstanding narrative in human history, that certain groups are inherently predisposed to conflict. This perspective, rooted in his experience as a diplomat and peacemaker, shifts responsibility for war from the collective to the individual, specifically those in positions of authority. Rather than accepting war as an inevitable outcome of human nature or cultural disposition, Bunche suggests that conflict arises primarily from the ambitions, fears, and interests of a select few.

Throughout history, the world has witnessed societies labeled as "warlike" because of repeated involvement in conflicts. However, Bunche pushes back against such generalizations, implying that these labels are often the products of propaganda or oversimplification. He recognizes the common human yearning for stability, safety, and prosperity, conditions most ordinary people desire regardless of their nationality, religion, or ethnicity. Wars, more often than not, result in suffering and loss for the general population who rarely initiate violence against others.

Bunche's words also draw attention to the powerful influence of leadership. When leaders are driven by the quest for power, vengeance, ideological zeal, or geopolitical gain, they may craft narratives that demonize other groups, rally populations into support for war, and suppress dissenting or peaceful voices within their own ranks. The machinery of war is often set in motion through persuasive rhetoric, manufactured threats, or appeals to patriotism that override skepticism and ethical hesitation.

Understanding war as a phenomenon spurred by leadership choices reframes the question of peace. If people are not inherently warlike, then peace is not utopian, but achievable through responsible, empathetic, and accountable leadership. Societies must therefore scrutinize their leaders' motives and vigilantly resist the manipulation that can lead to needless conflict. Bunche's insight is a call to recognize our shared humanity and to demand leadership devoted to the pursuit of peace.