The late-19th century Rooseveltian perception of war as an ideal method of forging a nation's manhood has waned. The development of weapons of mass destruction, along with the increased media coverage of the consequences of war, have changed the nature of warfare. Politicians and the army are more concerned than ever to avoid casualties, at least on their own side. And with the development of communication, the horrific realities of violent conflict are beamed across the world into the television screens of millions. It is no surprise that, for the present at least, war is universally perceived to be a problem. Despite this, however, armed conflict remains the most popular method of resolving disputes over land and sovereignty. This work aims to distinguish between societies that are violently divided.