Citation

Speier H. Am. J. Sociol. 1941; 46(4): 445-454.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1941, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/218692

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Three pure types of war are distinguished, viz., absolute war, instrumental war, and agonistic fighting. These wars are oriented, respectively, toward annihilation, advantage, and glory. Absolute war is unrestricted and unregulated war; agonistic fighting is regulated according to norms; and instrumental war may or may not be restricted, according to considerations of expediency.