International relations is a complex set of fields taking into itself economics, statecraft, diplomacy and even media. Wars and conflict among states and even stateless people are as old as humanity. There are many opinions on how we can change things so that these wars are mitigated, localized and resolvable.

Approaches to International Peace

Mechanisms for substantial improvement of the developing economies is a central ingredient to world peace. Few doubt that the wealth of the world is concentrated in the hands of a few nations. The U.S. and Canada, Western Europe and the Pacific Rim control an overwhelming portion of the world's wealth. This is an important cause of international friction, as advanced nations often use the natural resources of the less advanced for the benefit of the former.

Provide a forum for airing grievances and complaints to more powerful states. Some hold that stronger institutions of international power, such as the United Nations or the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), should be strengthened to give the developing nations a more powerful voice in international affairs. The NAM is an organization of mostly poor states that serves neither the left nor the right in international politics. It serves to promote the interests of the developing world without reference to ideology.

Allow developing countries to use their own natural riches for their own benefit, rather than for the benefit of those who make finished products in the developed world. This idealist and nationalist view holds that the developing world should combine forces to protect a country's natural resources from foreign exploitation. Much of the world's oil, tin, copper, diamonds and zinc is located in the developing world. (Reference 1)

Strong states should protect the sovereignty and independence of weaker states. Many leaders hold that strong states in the developed world are necessary to protect developing nations' resources from predatory powers among the wealthier countries. According to this view, weak states are unable to defend themselves against the rich and this results in more conflict between developed and developing countries.


  • Ideological slogans never solve problems. Only careful, highly detailed and specialized analysis of institutions and ideas can bring about any kind of progress. International relations do not respond well to quick fixes and trendy ideology.