War, even a good war, is mostly coarsening for the soldier and the populace. War, even a bad war, is mostly ennobling for the commanders and political leaders. And this is the great threat to a war-fighting democracy, as a democracy. Starting with its Revolution, America has become less democratic by each successive war. Fortunately, counteracting developments (expanding enfranchisement and popular education, diversity and wealth, mostly) have greatly mitigated (but also complicated) the end result.
America will find its Napoleon if it fights many more significant wars in close succession.
