To assume it a given - in view of the fact that no religion, in my opinion, has come even remotely near to providing a credible alternative theory - that Darwinian/Wallacian natural selection (if that's the right term) is the reason we, and all the other organisms on this planet, exist in our current state, the selection of random genetic mutations by 'Mother Nature' is going to ensure there will always exist those displaying extremes of human behaviour..... the beautiful, 'do anything to help anyone' type, and your psychopathic and sociopathic scum such as Adolph Hitler and any serial killer you care to name. I'd rather not. The overwhelming majority will sit somewhere in between.... genetically adapted over the millennia to co-operate to varying degrees, evidenced by the fact that we actually managed to survive thus far and not be eliminated by the big beasties on the savannah back in Africa.
To my mind war will always be 'natural', since genetic behavoural extremes are, by definition, 'natural' and the majority will always need to protect themselves from the monsters. What I find much less certain is what humankind can do to improve co-operation across the globe generally. I reckon the destruction of imperialistic empires has helped, although struggling republics have proved ripe for exploitation by the monsters promising easy fixes which appear not to exist. Facism was destroyed, communism failed.... but both refuse to go away since democracy, in theory giving everyone a voice, leaves a large percentage unhappy whomever wins.
I reckon we just have to keep plugging away exposing the rubbish as and when and steadfastly refusing to give governments more power. Although history is a poor guide to what the future may hold, it's a pretty good bet that those possessing the more extreme genes will always look to take advantage. We need to stand in their way.
