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The Evolution of the Concept of Perpetual Peace in the History of Political-Legal Thought

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The Evolution of the Concept of Perpetual Peace in the History of Political-Legal Thought 277 The evolution of the concept of perpetual peace in the history of political-legal thought Bogumil Terminski* Abstract The subject of this work is the question of the philosophical evolution and legal concept of perpetual peace throughout history. Its aim is also to show the importance of the issue to our broad understanding of the causative agents of development concepts for the rights of individuals, communities and human rights position in the surrounding world. The views enunciated by philosophers, thinkers and authors of the law of nations constitute the base on which not only Euro-American culture is resisting but also our contemporary understanding of society, individual liberty and fundamental human rights. That is why so important to undertaken within the discourse on human rights is to show the historical, philosophical and legal genesis of such issues as the evolution of the theory of peaceful coexistence, collective security or religious tolerance and minority rights. Presented in this work an analysis is not exhaustive. I assume that it is the task of presenting mainly the most important currents of thought and encourage the reader to further study, while leaving sufficient space for own thoughts. Introduction The phenomena of peace and war constitute the eternal and immanent elements of the history of mankind. It is assumed that they originate in the deeply rooted in the human nature lust for power, prestige and respect. That drive is characteristic of individuals, as well as entire nations, and often becomes apparent on the level of foreign policies of states. Waging wars or striving for peace are two basic instruments for countries thanks to which they pursue their vital interests. The rules of conduct adopted by states result from subjective and objective factors. Apart from the obvious ones, such * Author: Bogumil Terminski – political scientist, international relations specialist. He studied archaeology, poli- tical science and international relations at University of Warsaw. His research work encompasses protection of human rights, international organizations, as well as some aspects of social-political history of the 19th-century Europe. He participated in numerous conferences on human rights organized by the United Nations. At pre- sent, he is preparing for his PhD dissertation on the international protection of human rights. PERS P ECTIVAS INTERNACIONALES . CALI , COLOMBIA , VOL 6 NO. 1, ENERO - DICIEMBRE , 2010, pp . 277 - 290, ISSN 1900-4257 278 PERS P ECTIVAS INTERNACIONALES . CIENCIA POLÍTICA Y RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES as the country’s position or the line- as international dimension. When up in its closest environment, also pondering over the phenomenon of ideological and consciousness related peace, ancient thinkers based upon factors are of crucial importance the historical experience of social here. According to contemporary groups they were part of. First realistic concepts, war is a normal contemplations on peaceful co- means of execution of states’ existence of nations emerged, almost interests and exerting influence upon simultaneously, in the Hellenic and international environment. Liberal Chinese civilisations. Mo Ti, in theories, as opposed to realistic Europe know as Micius (470 – 381 concepts, highlight the necessity BC), is regarded as the first Chinese of cooperation among states and philosopher to create the concept of peaceful co-existence of nations. perpetual peace. Within the Hellenic While analysing contemporary civilisation, the discussion upon the trends in thought on peace and war peace among nations was started by among nations, one should bear in Thucidides (460 - 395 BC). It seems mind that they are reminiscences of that these two traditions had the most previous views on that matter, which eminent impact in the creation and are deeply rooted in the history of evolution of the concept of peace, European philosophy. which developed parallel with each Philosophers from different other in European and Asian cultural eras who observed the conduct, circles. Profound differences in the nature, and consequences of wars comprehension of the origin and tended to show the possibilities of social consequences of peace among making and preserving peace. One nations in the European and Asian may say that the thought on peace cultural circles are also reflected derives form the reflection on war, today. They are proved by the lack hence is secondary to it, nevertheless, of understanding within the Asian they are inextricably linked to circle of several contemporary pillars each other. The idea to build peace of Western world, such as human among states has developed since rights, individual freedom form the ancient times. It is an eminent collective constraint, or national element of the political-legal thought, minorities’ and POW rights. both due to its long-standing and The subject matter of extensive history, as well as because this thesis has been taken up of its important repercussions over the centuries by the greatest for the contemporary social and philosophers, from Plato or Aristotle political life in internal, as well onwards. Great contribution into THE E V OLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PERPETUAL PEACE IN THE HI S TORY OF POLITICAL-LEGAL THOUGHT VOLUMEN 6 NÚMERO 1 · ENERO - DICIEMBRE DE 2010 279 the development of the concept thought. In order to do that, I shall of peaceful co-existence among study different views on that matter nations was made by, among others, voiced by authors starting from Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam ancient times up to the end of the or Hugo Grotius, not to mention 18th century. I shall acutely focus Immanuel Kant and his essay on Immanuel Kant’s Perpetual Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Peace: A Philosophical Sketch Sketch written at the end of the due to its complementarity, as 18th century. Although Kant’s well as its significance in some of programme was not put into effect, contemporary aspects of law and just like most of the other concepts contemplations undertaken on its encouraging to eliminate wars and basis by some of social sciences. I promote universal peace, it had a would also like to draw the reader’s profound impact on the 20th century attention to programmes that are less thought on the principles of co- frequently presented in the literature existence of nations. Programmes for devoted to the concept of perpetual perpetual peace became the source peace, which have recurred in the of inspiration for the representatives European thought since the end of the 20th century liberal thought of the 13th century. I believe they in international relations, who, like are worth presenting, due to some Woodrow Wilson - the greatest interesting institutional solutions idealist of that time, believed that they introduced. Also, the diagnosis military conflicts might be eliminated of the impact of the suggested by the codification of international solutions on social and political life law or the institutionalization of of that time, or on the contemporary the principles of the international development of legal doctrine seems cooperation. However, enthusiasts to be a very significant issue for such as Wilson and others did not discussion. anticipate that borders of countries delineated over a cup of tea will 1. Antiquity and the Middle prove unstable and short-lived, Ages with regard to the similar to international institutions concept of peace among which were set up to secure them. the countries. In this thesis, I would like to Ancient thinkers, who present the evolution of the concept observed wars of their time, paid of perpetual peace as based on the much attention to the necessity of views of selected representatives securing peaceful relations among of philosophical and political-legal the countries. Such necessity proved Bogumil Terminski 280 PERS P ECTIVAS INTERNACIONALES . CIENCIA POLÍTICA Y RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES more significant in the atomized instances of fratricidal and ruthless world of Hellenic poleis. In Antiquity, wars. there were no coherent concepts of Another ancient civilization, securing perpetual and universal apart from the Greek one, which peace. However, the idea that any developed the contemplation on the warfare should be eliminated was peaceful co-existence of political not entirely alien to many authors of communities, was the Chinese that time. Thucidides, in his Melian civilisation in the ancient period. Dialogue, highlights the need to Significant dismemberment of maintain the balance of power political centres, just like in Greece, in Hellas, as well as claims that was a source of constant conflicts alliances to other’s disadvantage do with mainly territorial background. not serve peace. The author of the In Chinese world, the contemplation History of the Peloponnesian War on peace has its roots in the trend underlines how important it is not which stood in opposition to to breach agreements made between continuous tribal conflicts and countries, and to act fairly on the a peculiar “culture of conquest” battlefield. These features, however, which was started in ca. 8th century were strange to the citizens of Athens BC. Sun Tzu, in his work Art of who violated the agreement with the War paradoxically, presents his very Melians and committed genocide interesting opinion on peace. Master of most of the inhabitants of the Sun recommends to settle conflicts island in order to maintain strategic by peaceful means, and to engage balance between Athens and Sparta. in wars only in extreme situations. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean He believed that war should be as Ethics, points that peace results from shortest as possible and entail as good and wise rule and just law. least losses as possible, to the benefit He claimed that trade and peaceful of the civilians who are not directly cooperation are a better form of engaged in it. relations among communities than A similar stance was waging wars against one another. presented by Chinese philosopher This observation seems very acute and social thinker Mo Ti, know with regard to the Hellenic world as Micius.
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