Typically the cost of war to politicians is insignificant compared to the cost to those who follow them.
In the long run I'm optimistic because healthy structures are (tautologically) the only ones that are sustainable. No matter how bad things get, we know that destructive structures eventually collapse on their own. In the (very) long run good will triumph over evil because evil will always destroy itself.
You said "No matter how bad things get, we know that destructive structures eventually collapse on their own." It reminded me of this quote by Étienne de La Boétie
"Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break in pieces."
"Typically the cost of war to politicians is insignificant compared to the cost to those who follow them."
Now that's quotable! Should be emblazoned over the door of every recruiting station.
Great quote!
Regarding costs to politicians and their followers, I must recommend this book and video at every opportunity, as I found them both quite thought provoking: https://steemit.com/book/@troglodactyl/book-recommendation-the-dictator-s-handbook
I think "Typically the cost of war to politicians is insignificant compared to the cost to those who follow them." is likely a paraphrase of something in that book.