I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people

I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people

Edmund Burke, a prominent 18th-century British statesman and philosopher, is often quoted as saying, “I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people.” This statement reflects Burke’s belief in the importance of public opinion and popular support in the conduct of war.

Burke’s words highlight the idea that a war cannot be sustained indefinitely if the people do not support it. This is because wars require significant resources, both in terms of manpower and material, to be successful. Without the backing of the people, governments would struggle to mobilize the necessary resources to continue fighting a prolonged conflict.

History has shown that wars that lack popular support often face challenges in terms of recruitment, funding, and morale. For example, the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s saw widespread protests and opposition from the American public, which ultimately contributed to the eventual withdrawal of US forces from the conflict.