Gerwarth spoke about the numerous nationalistic movements in Europe and believed that strong central governments were the key to enforcing law and order.
Due to World War I, Large European empires such as Austria-Hungary failed to exist and were broken up into smaller countries.
This gave rise to local militias who fought for control over land, resources, and power in the name of Nationalism.
According to him, the first World War was an enabler of revolutions and violence, leading to further death and destruction in Europe.