Collective security
INTRODUCTION: Collective security may be defined as machinery for joint action in order to prevent
or to counter an attack against an established order. The central theme of collective security is mutual
assistance; the establishment of mutual responsibility to all nations in the world for the maintenance of
international peace and security.
Collective Security makes aggression or War the concern of all nations instead of that one nation.
This means that all nations of the world are obligated to unite to fight and identified aggressor in favor of
the identified victim of aggression. Therefore, the maintenance of the status-quo becomes a community
project instead of a unilateral or bi-lateral plan of action. Collective security assumes the inevitability of
war and so braces up to face it whatever the cause, its success depends on its ability to muster such
overwhelming strength that over-awes the potential aggressor to an extent that no nation ever
contemplates defying the system. This will not only provide a deterring effect upon potential aggressor
but also a re-assuring effect upon potential victims of aggression.
A collective security system is quite different from an alliance system. It is not only contrived to
substitute alliances, it can be successfully applied to a wider spectrum of conflict situations, and so it
more effective than pacific settlement.
The practice of collective security requires all nations to join one universal alliance instead of two or
more balancing alliances. Unlike alliances, collective security does not recognize any traditional
friendship or enmity. It functions with impartiality. Again, unlike alliances, which are formed to counter a
particular (actual) threat, collective security is formed to deal with an envisaged threat to world peace.
In effect, a collective security system is a global alliance of nations for the purpose of dealing with
possible threat to world peace.
Collective security makes peace indivisible by equating the security of one nation with the
security of all other nations in the world. If the security of one nation is threatened, that of all other nation
is under threat; if one nation is secure, all other nations are also secure. Every nation, therefore, has to be
concerned for the security of other nations. In the relation of states, everyone is his brothers’ keeper’.
Whosoever commits aggression is everybody’s enemy; whosoever resist aggression is everybody’s
friend.”1
In essence, collective security envisages an unalloyed concern for and a spontaneous reaction of
all nations against aggression or a threat to the security of any nation as if their own security was at stake.
This empathy will ensure that in the event of an aggression, all nations will rise to police the aggressor
with their combined strength. Collective security is therefore the mobilization of the world’s anti-war
forces for the prevention of war by a threat to make War.
Any aggressor is faced with such overwhelming economic, diplomatic and military sanctions
imposed by all nations in the world that his chances of success would be very slim.
In collective security, military sanctions are however regarded as a last resort. Collective security relies
heavily on economic sections, because of the belief that an effective application would stifle an aggressor
and so military might would rarely be invoked.
Thus, in the final analysis, collective security zeros down to machinery designed to ensure global
peace by keeping the aggressive instincts of states in check through the application or threat of
application of overwhelming economic sections. This is because the prospect of all-against-one would not
only stop aggression but would also deter potential aggressors from constituting a threat the result will be
that collective security would ensure world peace and security.
Future of UN
Introduction:The founding of United Nations (UN) represents mankind’s latest and partially successful
attempt to ascertain some mechanism for world peace. Having taken birth from the rubble of Second
World War, this organization formally came into existence on October 24, 1945. In simple words the UN
is an association of states which have pledged themselves by signing the Charter to,
1. Save humanity from the scourge of War and maintain international peace and security.
2. The development of friendly relations among nations and resolving their social, economic and
cultural differences amicably.
3. To improve the living standards of people irrespective of their caste, creed, colour and nationality.
4. Creating favorable conditions and respect for obligations arising from International Law.
5. Act as custodian of Fundamental Human Rights.
Signs of the brighter future of UN: Despite imperfections, UN is the only organization that can save
humanity from socio economic disparity and can ensure peace and prosperity on this planet. The partial
success of this organization in past and numerous developments in present demonstrate that the future of
UN is going to be brighter.
First of all, unlike its predecessor the League of Nations, United Nations in its seventy-seven years of
existence has been successful in averting a large-scale War. Even in cold war years when tension between
the two super powers was at its peak, no direct armed conflict took place. Instead it goes to the credit of
UN that it has always encouraged peace. This in itself is a big achievement which promises a brighter
future of UN.
Secondly, the hegemony of powerful nations has been challenged by the emergence of host of developing
countries. This development is destined to enhance the prospects of UN’s effectiveness. Individually as
well as collectively, these nations are vying for reforms in UNO to have their effective say in the
decision-making process of this organization. The prominent among these are G4 nations of India, Brazil,
Germany and Japan and ‘Uniting for Consensus’ group member of Coffee Club, Italy Pakistan, Mexico,
Turkey and Egypt etc. This would result in increasing representation of the people and democratization of
UN which eventually would augment the effectiveness and prestige of this world body.
Thirdly, UN has earned immense reverence for itself on account of its highly commendable efforts for
humanitarian assistance and development. The efforts of its various organs and agencies for eliminating
poverty, improving socio economic justice, protecting fundamental human rights specially those of
marginalized classes and protecting environment have cultivated among people a significant esteem and a
sense of ownership towards this organization. UN’s response and tremendous contribution in the wake of
War, famine and natural calamity spanning the world from killing fields of Cambodia to the burning
building of Dili and from devastating Tsunami of 2005 to deadly Earthquake of October 2005 in Pakistan
are clear manifestations of the effectiveness of this organization.
Fourthly, the clout of UN is hoped to widen owing to the expansion of International Law. In fact it is
International Law which provides basic principles and customs which govern international relations and
diplomatic ties among nations of the world. It also sets grounds for resolving mutual conflicts amicably.
To foster international Law, UN has initiated hundreds of International conventions and treaties ranging
from agreements governing bilateral and multilateral trade, environment protection to diplomatic
relations. International Court of Justice and Security Council also seek guidance from this Law.
Therefore, expansion of International Law is a happy omen for the brighter future of UN.
Last but not least, there prevails a broader awareness among populace concerning the importance of this
organization. People today are more conscious about their rights and duties as well as for the want and
significance of peace. Thanks to the constructive role played by media and civil society, it has been
inculcated in the minds of citizen of this global village that UN only can prevent major conflicts in the
world and can preserve their fundamental rights. This understanding has positively affected the decision-
making process of UN where aspirations of the masses are considered. Consequently, this wakefulness
has proved to be instrumental in making UN a more potent world body.
Imperfection of the UN: However, at the same time it remains a fact that UN has not been able to fulfil
its objectives as its founding fathers had desired. It hasn’t measured up to the demands of its esteemed
charter. At certain moments it has let down the oppressed and downtrodden nations just when they needed
its support and assistance. Following have been the impediments which hampered the successful working
of this international body.
The unchallenged hegemony of some powerful nations over the decision-making and implementation
mechanism of UN has been the principal obstacle in the way of this organization’s coming up to the
expectations of the masses. The UN has been dominated by the big powers without any restraint or
restriction ever since its inception. The unjust and criminal use of the power of Veto has let linger on
some long-standing international conflicts which pose a dire threat to the security of the whole world. The
issues of Palestine and Kashmir are perfect examples of the prejudicial treatment of big powers. In
particular; the recent American Unilateral attack on Iraq having completely sidelined the international
organization, has seriously undermined the credibility of this institution.
The polarization of the globe along ideological lines has also played havoc with the effectiveness of
UNO. Immediately after the inception of this World body, the harmony of action disappeared among
Allied Powers and a cold war started between the communist bloc and the non-communist bloc. Besides
this, inter faith harmony and inter civilization feelings of tolerance and peaceful co-existence have been
injured badly. As a result of this polarization, the progress on certain long-standing issues hasn’t been
made. History would have been different, had the UN taken a firm stand when Israelis were driving the
Arabs out of their homeland. This contentious issue hasn’t been given serious attention only because of
the acrimony between Islamic world and the Western Bloc. Similarly, the West has always refrained from
speaking vociferously in favor of the right of self-determination of Kashmiris. The vested interests and
Inter and intra faith disharmony have also a lot to do with current Syrian Question.
UN isn’t a sovereign body and doesn’t have power and mechanism to force its members who are
sovereign entities. Besides this there are some structural flaws. The absence of a significant mechanism to
implement the decision and finding of its principle organs and agencies is a large barrier in the way of
better performance of UN. This fact is manifested in failure of UN in implementing the resolutions of
Security Council’s on Kashmir. Similarly, the verdict of ICJ on the construction of West Bank Fences by
Israel also hasn’t been put into effect. This fact has significantly decreased the potency of this
organization.
The abject poverty in the world is no less than a challenge to the future of UN. This organization hasn’t
been successful in bridging the gap between the rich and the poor countries. In fact, the economic
disparity between Developed countries and less developed ones is on persistent rise. It is quite
unfortunate that 86 % of the world GDP is shared by the 20 % world population. The rising terrorism,
militarism, and crime have their direct link with economic frustration in poor countries. As the plights of
the common men haven’t been considered on priority bases, they have got disillusioned and have lost
their hope in UN.
The measures destined to strengthen the UN:
However, there is still a general consensus that despite its limitations and failures the UN is vital to the
stability of the world. Therefore, it is high time that international Community focused its attention on the
resurrection of this prestigious organization. Following are the steps which are needed to be taken on
priority basis.
To make the UN a more effective organ of maintaining international peace and security, it is needed to
initiate comprehensive process of reforms. UN should reflect the power realities of today’s world and not
those of 1945. The world has come across a significant change after the disintegration of Soviet Union
and the incident of 9/11. Therefore, from various corners special stress is being laid on reforms in
Security Council. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon rightly said, ‘The UN Security Council reforms, being
debated since two decades are too long overdue and the necessary expansion must be made considering
how much the world has changed.’ The present composition of Security Council is entirely unfair. Where
Europe holds two permanent seats, Asia accounting the majority of the world population has only one
seat while Africa and South America have no permanent representation at all. Therefore, some
responsible developing countries, obeying International Law and having a significant record of human
rights protection should be conferred upon the status of permanent membership so that the Security
Council may be made a democratized institution representing the whole world.
Besides this, the principle organs and socialized agencies of UN have to be made more potent. In this
regard it is pertinent to make International Court of Justice more powerful and its verdicts be
implemented in letter and spirit. Moreover, by conferring more powers upon General Assembly the
imbalance of power between SC and GA has to be balanced. In particular, the scope of humanitarian
assistance, developmental activities and peace-keeping missions need to be broadened. To deal with the
difficulty of budget insufficiency, the developed countries need be made bound to contribute sufficient
funds to be spent on these areas. These acts are destined to make this world body a potent organization.
Feeling of amity has to be cultivated among people of various nations and civilizations and inter faith
harmony needs to be fostered. Peace cannot be established unless various conflicting nations and
ideologies come to some sort of agreement on co-existence. In this regard prevalent mistrust between
Islamic world and the western bloc needs to be removed. For this, UN needs to take proactive actions on
all those issues which have added to the mistrust among various ideologies, religions and regions. In this
way the contentious issues posing threat to the world security can be resolved and the reverence of UN
can be enhanced.
Further, the prospects of UN’s becoming a strong global organization can be brightened if the world as a
whole endeavors for it. For this, all the members of world community are desired to strive for attaining
their due share in the decision-making process of UN. Unless they shun the practice of being indifferent
towards the policy making process of the UNO, the stronger nations would continue using this
organization as a tool to further their ignoble designs.
In order to strengthen this organization, this world body has to be inculcated in the masses. The more the
reverence and prestige for this organization is cultivated in the people, the more this world body would
have the confidence of them and the more esteem it would enjoy. For this, there should be a proper
mention of need, importance and effectiveness of this institution in the textbooks of all nations. Media
and civil society are also required to play a proactive role in this regard. In this way masses would be
better aware of the effectiveness of this organization and would play their vigorous role in making it a
potent world body.
Conclusion: To conclude the words of U Thant, the ex. Secretary General of UN seem to be most
pertinent. “The United Nations born of the Charter has done well, but it has not done well enough. In a
sense it is a great parliament of mankind to which guild, injustice and aspirations of mankind are being
brought, it has helped to prevent local conflicts from turning into worldwide conflagrations. It has assisted
1000 million people to gain independence, it has condemned and fought colonialism, discrimination and
racism in all its forms, and it has looked far into future, warning nations and men of worldwide dangers
ahead. But the United Nations has not done well enough’. However, the UN remains perhaps the only
available structure and a global mechanism to save humanity from disaster and anarchy.
