[scottdw2]

In war, identity is a defined "negatively". That is, not by describing positive attributes to you, but by describing negative attributes to the enemy. "We are the opposite of x", hence we fight. If you neutralize the ability of the enemy to define you (because he is like you) he can't define himself, and so he cannot fight you. Thus, there is no enemy, and hence no war.

[true_religion]

I can accept that, but at the point you've already gone to war... it is pretty easy to point at any difference between you and the other country, and say that your way is better. (e.g. First World liberal democracy U.S.A looks down upon 1st world liberal democracy U.K. because U.K. has socialized healthcare thus clearly is insane).