Collective Security
Collective security is a security arrangement in all
states, or a number of states co-operate with each other to provide security
for through a process unified action by all against any state or group of
states which might challenge the existing order or constitute threats to
others. It connotes the joining together of states either through treaty making
through declaration to reliance the use of force in setting disputes and
disagreement with each other.
To
use force against any of their members that may decide to embark on aggression
against another fallen victim of aggression from another source.
The underlying motive behind collective security is to
gang up against the aggressor, so that the aggressor would be aggressor would be deterred by the
prospects of over overwhelming force. sanctions may also be used in place of
force ot persuade the aggressor to abandon his line of action.
While collective security is possible, several
prerequisites have to be met in order to make it work. A collective security
system offers great advantage to weaker nations who ordinarily may not defend
themselves. Such nations easily become victims of aggression unless they are
assured of the backing and protection of stronger neigbours and allies.
During the 19th century, Baha’ullah, the
founder of the Bahai faith prescribed collective security as a means through
which world peace could be established. According to him ---the time must come
when the imperative necessity for holding a vast all-embracing assemblage of
men will be universally realized, the unless and kings of the earth must needs
attend it, and practice in its deliberateness, must consider such ways and
means as will by the formulations of the
world’s great peace amongst men. Such peace demanded that the great powers
should resolved for the sake of the tranquility of the peoples of the earth to
be fully reconciled among themselves. should any king take up arms against
another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him…1
His
said that if this is done, the nations of the world will no longer require
amendments except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms
and of maintaining internal order within their territories. He submitted that
collative security would ensure the peace and competitive of every people.
The failure of balance of power and
armaments to secure peace has led scholars and statement to look up to the
collective security system as an option particularly after the devastating
effects of the two great wards of the 20th century.
In the collective security
arrangement, the problem of security could no longer be the responsibility of
one of security could no longer be the responsibility of one nation. Under
collective security, the nation of the world jointly takes care of each others
security. the security of one state becomes the security of other and a threat
to the security of one becomes a threat to all.
Basic Principles of Collective Security
For collective security to works
certain principles have to be met to create a fundamental basis for the
guarantee at the future security wellbeing of the world society.
1. Every
state, especially all major states have to belong to the collective security
arrangement. These big powers must show enough commitment to guarantee the
success and survival of such arrangements. The league of Nations faced major
problems because of the absence of the United States.
2. No
state can have the ability to block the decision making process. The league
every member to exercise reto powers over its decisions while the UN gave same
to fine of its members. Such scenario crease situation where one country can
hold the vast majority to ransomed, and there was nothing anyone could do about
it.
3. There
is too much reliance on the sanctions regime sanctions do not always move
because even some members of the imposing community often collude with the
presumed victim to sabotage its effectiveness.
4. The
international economy has to be sufficiently interdependent so that the
requisite harm could be done to the intended country without affecting others.
Again, sanctions can only work if their application is universal and
comprehensive.
5. For
countries to trust their security to collective arrangements, they have to be
satisfied when the need arises.
6. A collective
security arrangement may start off with a small number of states and gradually
embrace a greater number of countries who share similar sentiments.
7. A collective
security arrangement must be will and able to work together in all occasions
despite the sympathies and preferences of member states. collective action must
remain the guiding principle at all times.
8. Despite
differences in size, capability and resources decision making must reflect
reasonable equality in the status and recognition granted all member.
9. In a
collative security arrangement the big members must always see the need to
carry along the smaller members of the group. Their views and reservations must
no be ignored without good course. During the second gulf war, George bush’s
coalition of the willing lacked the collective impetus arrayed to drive Saddam
Hussein out of Kuwait in 1991.
10. Collective
security must work in tandem with public opinion especially within the
countries who constitute members of the security arrangement.
Collective
Defence
Collective
defence is an arrangement usually formalized by a treaty between the
participating states. Collective defense commits member states to provide
support in defense of a member if attacked by another state outside the
organization. NATO and the Warsaw pack are the two best known collective
defense organizations of the twentieth century. While the Warsaw pack has
ceased to exist with the disintegration of he the soviet Union, NATO has
continued to grow thronged and with large membership. The commitment to come to
the aid of member states when the need arises is however not mandatory. it is
based on the nation that an aggressor may not be a find themselves at the
receiving end of the aggressors designs. it is also believed that standing
shoulder to shoulder against an aggressor or threat provides an overwhelming
force, both diplomatically and militantly to subdue the intent.
After the September 11, 2001 attack
on the US, NATO members provided unanimous support for the US to launch and
sustain its war on terror. Collective defence has its roots in multi party
alliances and entails benefits as well as risk on the parts of member states. On
the one hand, collective defence reduce cost when resources are pooled together
in a combined effort. Greater results are achieved at a reduced cost in both
treasure and human resources. It provides smaller member of NATO the
opportunity to invest less on military matters while resources are channeled to
other vital areas as education, health, economic development and social
services.
On the other hand collective defence
entails risky commitments for its members. Another person’s enemy because your
enemy and another war becomes your own. Member states can become embroiled in
costly wars in which they were neither aggressor nor the victim. It was a non
they would have avoided without a cost. America finds it increasingly difficult
to held the alliance over the conflict in Afghamistan as one country after
another pulls out of the coalition while some face imminent revolt by their
citizens at home.
The need to balance out each others’
threats by countries in opposing defence alliances noy also dampen the desire
for peaceful settlement and propel both sides to won. The first world won. The
first world won became inevitable when countries belonging to the Tr-ple
Entente-France, Britain-Russia were pulled into man by Russia’s hasty
mobilization against Austria-Hungary. Germany subsequently declared war on
Russia in response. The second world War also saw Britain and France rusting
into war with Hermann in defense of their collective defense arrangement with
Roland, the first major casualty of the German Reich.