Although wars are commonly thought to be sustained by military power, evidence shows that individuals’ willingness to fight can be so profound that they persist even against overwhelming odds. From World War II to the ongoing Gaza War, anthropologist Scott Atran’s recent article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences explores how deeply held moral convictions and group identities drive committed actors in seemingly intractable conflicts.

Through historical case studies and field research, Atran finds that “the most effective combatants, revolutionaries, and insurgents have been devoted actors united by dedication to non-negotiable sacred values like God, country, or liberty.”

He explains that sacred values are moral convictions worth defending at any costs. Identity fusion occurs when an individual’s personal identity becomes merged with that of a group and its core values.

“When bound by sacred values and fused identities, people will resist overwhelming odds and remain impervious to deterrence or exit strategies, however, reasonable or rewarding, even to the point of choosing death over the dishonor of abandoning core values and comrades,” writes Atran. As an example, during WWII, France quickly surrendered to Germany while Britain and the Soviet Union continued to fight despite dire circumstances. Atran suggests this contrast was rooted in France’s national pessimism and social fragmentation, whereas Britain and the Soviet Union possessed strong collective will and devotion to their nations.

Atran’s research shows that although identity fusion and sacred values independently motivate sacrifice, their combination maximizes willingness to fight. Groups that perceive themselves as physically weak but spiritually strong are often the most radicalized and willing to resist, even against far more powerful enemies.

Conversely, individuals who “fail to become devoted actors” are those who do not perceive a sacred cause worth dying for, lack deep bonds with a group, or live in environments that suppress shared moral narratives. Without these conditions, people tend to act pragmatically and avoid extreme sacrifice.

Concluding with the current conflict in Gaza, Atran argues that "directly engaging, rather than sidestepping, each side’s seemingly irreconcilable values bound to identity—‘who I am, and what we are’—can unlock deal-making, even on material issues, in otherwise intractable conflicts.”

>>> Read “What Sustains Wars: Will to fight Versus Military Might” in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences