When war happens

The two then decided to use guns to come to an agreement. The one whose guns have the heaviest thump will essentially be the one whose thoughts, reasons and ideas will carry the day.

This is what happens during a war. If your country loses the war suddenly you are shorn of the smarts to participate in the resolution of that feud and the country whose guns have the loudest thump will take over and decide what happens. It is a very strange paradox in a world where humans have made great strides in development and thinking.