RECURRENCE OF WAR IN CLASSICAL EAST AND WEST CIVILIZATIONS

Frequencies of western wars for the period of 1600-1945 were compared within frequencies of wars in China for the period separating Han and Qing dynasties of Imperial China (206 BC-1911 AD). The frequency of wa rfare was about the same except for the periods characterized by predo minance of the Confucian ethics. When Confucius' teachings were accept ed as guiding principles within the Chinese society, the frequency of Chinese wars was substantially lower than the frequency of warfare typ ical of western civilizations.