Final answer:
Ludwig Gumplowicz theorized that nations developed primarily by winning conflicts with other groups, with war and conquest being crucial in shaping civilizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polish-Austrian sociologist Ludwig Gumplowicz argued that nations evolved principally by succeeding in conflicts with other groups. He expanded on earlier ideas by suggesting that war and conquest are the foundations of civilizations. Furthermore, he posited that cultural and ethnic conflicts led to the creation of states, which were then defined and dominated by one group that holds power over others. The history of human societies reveals that many conflicts, whether over loot, land, or liberty, have shaped the development of nations through this pattern of domination and conquest. While not all primeval societies were constantly hostile towards their neighbours, competition for resources often led to violence and subsequently influenced the trajectory of a society's growth and its relations with nearby groups.