eli5: what happens if the Geneva convention is broken? my friend tried to explain to me but I still can’t understand
In: 320
Imagine that you and I are at war.
Let’s set some ground rules: no attacking civilians; no bombing hospitals; no torturing prisoners. If we both break the rules, we know what will happen: even the winner of the war will end up losing more than they could ever possibly gain. We both are trying to win, so we don’t want that. So I follow these rules because if I break them, so will you. You do the same.
After some time, the tides are turning. You’re starting to win this one. I don’t stand a chance. Maybe now I should break the rules, to temper your victory and make you think twice about doing this again? But of course I can’t – if I have to surrender, my fate will be in your hands, and I’m hoping you’ll be lenient. So I stick to the rules.
But what keeps you from breaking the rules? You’re gonna win either way, right? But other countries are watching closely, and nobody wants to live in a world where someone else can get away with breaking the rules. Lots of countries who hadn’t wanted to take sides before, might suddenly get interested in backing the underdog, rather than let a bully win.
So, what happens if someone violates the rules of war? Their enemies may do the same, and the consequences of *that* are far worse than any punishment from the UN or anyone else.
Latest Answers