Jonah Patel
Collective security is a system by which states attempt to prevent or stop wars. It is achieved by setting up an international cooperative organisation under the auspices of international law, which gives rise to a form of international collective governance. The principle of collective security has been adopted by organisations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations, which was founded on the idea that an attack on one is an attack on all. The aim of collective security is to deter aggression by committing an international coalition against any aggressor. This form of international cooperation is an example of international diplomacy, as it involves negotiating treaties, making official declarations, and presenting the government's views on an issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The idea of collective security originated after the Napoleonic Wars in the nineteenth century to maintain the status quo between European states and avoid war. |
| History | The first institutionalised system of collective security was implemented by the League of Nations after the First World War. |
| Organisations | The League of Nations, the United Nations, and NATO are all founded on the principle of collective security. |
| Function | Collective security arrangements act as a deterrent to aggression by committing an international coalition against any aggressor. |
| Scope | Collective security arrangements are global in scope, distinguishing them from regional alliances. |
| Power | Collective security relies on the "imbalance of power" amassed by all member states against any aggressor. |
| Legitimacy | The use of hard power by states is only legitimate if it is legitimised by the collective security organisation. |
| Cost | Collective security provides cheaper security and may be the only practicable means of security for smaller nations. |
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What You'll Learn
NATO and the principle of collective security
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an international organization that has become synonymous with collective security. NATO was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. The principle of collective defence is at the heart of NATO's founding treaty, committing its members to protect each other and fostering a spirit of solidarity within the Alliance.
The concept of collective security is a system by which states attempt to prevent or stop wars. It involves setting up an international cooperative organization under the auspices of international law, which acts as an arena for diplomacy and the exercise of soft power. The premise of a collective security arrangement is that it serves as a deterrent to aggression by committing an international coalition against any aggressor. The phrase "an attack on one is an attack on all" is often used to describe this principle, and it is enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty.
NATO has invoked Article 5 on several occasions to take collective defence measures. For example, in 1991, 2003, and 2012, NATO deployed Patriot missiles during the Gulf War, agreed on defensive measures during the Iraq crisis, and responded to the situation in Syria, respectively. The most notable invocation of Article 5 was in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, which marked the first time in NATO's history that it engaged actively in the fight against terrorism outside the Euro-Atlantic area.
NATO has also implemented collective defence measures in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the rise of security challenges from terrorist groups such as ISIL. These measures included increasing the size of the NATO Response Force, establishing a Spearhead Force, and deploying multinational battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
While NATO has been successful in maintaining collective security through its measures, it is important to note that the implementation of collective security in practice has faced challenges due to conflicts of interest among states, especially among major powers. Nonetheless, NATO remains a significant organization in international diplomacy, committed to protecting its members and promoting peace through collective defence.
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The League of Nations and its weaknesses
The League of Nations, the predecessor of the United Nations, was established after the First World War to improve international cooperation and prevent future wars. The idea of a league of nations was first outlined by Immanuel Kant in 1795 in his work "Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch". In it, Kant envisioned a peaceful community of nations that would control conflict and promote peace between states while respecting state sovereignty.
Despite its noble goals, the League of Nations suffered from several weaknesses that hindered its effectiveness. Firstly, it lacked enforcement power, relying on the voluntary cooperation of its members. This proved problematic when its own members, Britain and France, ignored the League to appease Hitler, and when aggressive nations like Germany, Italy, and Japan defied its rulings. The League's inability to enforce its decisions undermined its authority and limited its impact.
Secondly, the League faced conflicts of interest among its member states, especially the major powers. The self-interest of nations often took precedence over collective security, as seen in the case of Britain and France's appeasement policy towards Nazi Germany. This conflict of interest made it difficult for the League to act cohesively and effectively.
Thirdly, the League struggled with the issue of imperialism. While imperialism was deemed contrary to the rules-based international order, imperialist states used propaganda to discredit adversaries and their foreign policies. The League found it challenging to balance the interests of imperialist states with the goal of maintaining a peaceful international community.
Lastly, the League faced economic challenges. The world economic depression of the 1930s encouraged nations to become more aggressive in their pursuit of economic gains, and the League lacked the economic tools to address these issues effectively.
In conclusion, while the League of Nations was a pioneering attempt at international diplomacy and collective security, it faced significant weaknesses that hindered its ability to prevent aggression and maintain world peace. Its failures highlighted the complexities of international relations and the need for stronger mechanisms to enforce collective security agreements.
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The UN and its role in collective security
Collective security is a system by which states have attempted to prevent or stop wars. It is achieved by setting up an international cooperative organisation under the auspices of international law, which gives rise to a form of international collective governance. The United Nations (UN) is one such organisation that was founded on the principle of collective security.
The UN's role in collective security is to act as a platform for international diplomacy, the balance of power, and the exercise of soft power. The UN can legitimise the use of hard power by states, which would otherwise be considered illegitimate and necessitating remediation. The UN also provides a cheaper security option and may be the only practicable means of security for smaller nations against more powerful threatening neighbours.
The UN's role in collective security has evolved with the rise of civil wars. Since World War II, most military conflicts have been civil wars in which other states have intervened in some manner. This means that the UN's role in collective security may have to evolve towards providing a means to ensure stability and a fair international resolution to those internal conflicts.
The UN's role in collective security has not always been successful. Both the League of Nations and the United Nations have struggled to operate the principle successfully to prevent aggression because of conflicts of interest among states, especially among the major powers. The UN can be seen as a platform for self-interest purposes for members in the Security Council because of the permanent members' veto power and the excessive assistance or aid, which have made those states act unilaterally and ignore or violate resolutions of the Security Council.
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The balance of power and soft power
Collective security is a system by which states attempt to prevent or stop wars. It is achieved by setting up an international cooperative organisation under the auspices of international law, which gives rise to a form of international collective governance. This organisation becomes an arena for diplomacy, the balance of power, and the exercise of soft power.
The balance of power is a concept that has long been associated with international relations and diplomacy. It refers to the distribution of power among states in the international system, with the aim of maintaining stability and preventing any one state from becoming too dominant. In the context of collective security, the balance of power is maintained by the collective action of states, where an aggressor against one state is considered an aggressor against all other states, which act together to repel the aggressor. This was seen in the 1930s with the diplomatic attempts of the USSR to achieve a collective security alliance against Nazi Germany.
Soft power, a term popularised by Joseph Nye in the late 1980s, refers to the ability of a country to shape the preferences and behaviour of others through appeal and attraction, rather than through coercion or payment. It is derived from a country's economic and cultural influence, as well as its political values and foreign policies. In the context of collective security, soft power can be used to promote a country's interests and values and to build alliances and support for its actions. For example, the United States has used satellite TV to promote its soft power in the Arab world, and China has invested in public diplomacy and cultural initiatives to enhance its soft power globally.
The use of soft power can be seen as an alternative to hard power, which involves the use of coercion, military force, or economic sanctions to achieve a country's objectives. In the context of collective security, hard power can be legitimised by the collective security organisation, such as in the case of NATO, where collective defence is at the heart of its founding treaty. However, the use of hard power by states is generally considered illegitimate unless it is authorised by the collective security organisation.
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International cooperation and law
The League of Nations, established after World War I, was a significant early attempt at collective security. However, it faced challenges due to conflicts of interest among powerful nations and the absence of the United States as a member. The League adopted a "Protocol for the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes," but it ultimately failed due to political disagreements.
The United Nations (UN), established in 1945, continued the pursuit of collective security. Its founders aimed to improve upon the League's weaknesses by giving a decisive role to the principal victors of World War II, who became permanent members of the UN Security Council. The Security Council was tasked with "the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security." In practice, the UN faced paralysis due to disagreements among the great powers and the emergence of the Cold War.
Collective security organisations like NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) also emerged, where the principle of collective defence is central to its founding treaty. NATO's Article 5 has become synonymous with collective security, reflecting the idea that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
In the context of international cooperation and law, collective security arrangements aim to deter aggression and promote peace through the establishment of international organisations, the development of international law, and the use of diplomacy and soft power. However, the effectiveness of collective security has been limited by conflicting interests among states, particularly the major powers.
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Frequently asked questions
Collective security is a system by which states attempt to prevent or stop wars. Under a collective security arrangement, an aggressor against one state is considered an aggressor against all states, which then act together to repel the aggressor. The concept of a peaceful community of nations was outlined in Immanuel Kant's 1795 "Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch".
The principle of collective security has been adopted by several international organisations, including the League of Nations, the United Nations, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Both the League of Nations and the United Nations were founded on the principle of collective security, but they were unable to operate this principle successfully due to conflicts of interest among states.
Collective security provides cheaper security and may be the only practicable means of security for smaller nations against more powerful threatening neighbours. It also serves as a deterrent to aggression by committing an international coalition against any aggressor.
