Paths To Peace

Down the ages there have been two paths to peace sought by the international community, one political and the other military. The miltary paths use alliances, disarmament, arms control and the balance of power, the political path uses international law with its principles of right reason and natural law, world order and political integration.

The United Nations offers collective security for the preservation of peace and carries out its peacekeeping and peacemaking duties all over the world. The general principles of both private and public international law are accepted but there is no executive body to enforce it. It lacks universality, it justifies the pursuit of national advantage without any regard for morality or justice, it is an instrument of the powerful to oppress the weak, it justifies existing practices and can be used as a propaganda tool.

The development of regional trading blocs is a popular form of integration and in some cases has political integration as part of the vision. The European Union has brought lasting peace to what was once the most war torn part of the world. Geographical proximity, cultural homogeneity, comparable political systems, similar historical experience, social development and military prowess, stable economic conditions and possibly most importantly the support of public opinion and enthusiastic and sagacious leadership are the things which increase the likelihood of integration and peace. In democratic countries public support is the most important thing but public opinion changes. Where support was once strong or weak, changes of fortune can change minds.

Europe has served as a model for other parts of the world. More may also try it. There is no guarantee it will work. There is the paradox of the world coming together and falling apart at the same time. There have been numerous new states and autonomous regions created in recent years. There are calls for independence from within sovereign states. There is no reason to expect integration to progress on its own. It requires trust and commitment.