In modern European societies there is basically zero apetite for territorial gains, you can just travel to some other European country without being subjected to any check at the border, you might not even notice any border.
When you have full democracy you cannot expand your borders without also adding people allowed to vote in elections unless you resort to genocide or forced relocation.
With elite rule or autocracy you do however have the option to expand your political control without having to reorientate your politics to please all the new voters you got.
Area you annex can be used as a buffer against hostile states. Controlling area can also have other significant military utilities such as allowing for military bases (without needing approval from some other country) and creating a larger area to choose from when someone tries to nuke you. You also get more room to retreat in the case the war is currently going badly.
Gaining control over more people potentially allow for more government revenue via taxation and more/better soldiers.
Gaining control over more agricultural land gives you more potential control over food production in the case of an emergency. A hostile countries may stop the export of food in an attempt to starve your population.
Gaining control over territory gives potentially gives you control over more natural resources such as oil and rare-earth minerals.
The more areas you take control over the less potentially hostile areas will remain. By conquering the entire planet you can secure a lasting peace eliminating the need for significant military spending and dangerous conflicts. You will no longer have to worry about billions of people dying in a nuclear war, you will not have to be powerless as civilians are bombed to death.
There are dangers with societal competition, societies will be pushed towards recklessness in order to be able to compete. It can be recklessness with weapons (such as arming nazis to fight in some war) but it can also be recklessness with regard to things like genetic engineering and [artificial intelligence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B3Wn6Wo5CU).
by vintologi24
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We found Putin’s reddit account