War as metaphor

The use of war as metaphor is a longstanding literary and rhetorical trope.

In political usage, war metaphors are used to manage a perceived societal problem, with the concept taking the place of an individual or state enemy in true war.

The war metaphor is sometimes invoked to pursue ordinary domestic politics.

[1] Philosopher James Childress describes the use of war as a metaphor as a dilemma: "In debating social policy through the language of war, we often forget the moral reality of war.

"[2] One fundamental problem is that it is often unclear when the "war" is over.