I don't know that this is super well-founded: It seems similar to the "Fremen Mirage" [1], and misses that in most cases the society that escapes war for longer will have time and energy to build infrastructure and accumulate resources that provide a decisive advantage in conflict and defense. Looking back at history it's rare that the "virile fighting" nation/group wins against a more "civilized" adversary that's better organized and resourced.

[1] https://acoup.blog/2020/01/17/collections-the-fremen-mirage-...