War is the health of the state

It is sometimes said that "war is the health of the state". I think few statements are as true as this one. First of all, war means that the state increases its control of the economy. The economy turns into a war economy, i.e. less market and more state socialism.

Second, war means that any critizing of the government (or worse, of the state as an institution) can be smeared as "unpatriotic". This creates a greater acceptance for decreased freedom.

Except the terrible fact that people get killed during a war (including non-combattants), many other things tend to happen during wars, too. Free speech is usually an early victim of war.

Rule of law is another early victim. A few examples from the so-called "land of the free" (USA): Guantanamo bay and now, Bush has abolished habeas corpus. Supposedly, this would not effect American citizens (like this would make things better).

So, why is a peaceful activist captured, without trial or hearing, and tortured, for campaigning against eminent domain?

War is the health of the state. But it means misery for everyone else.