principles of collective security

WHAT IS COLLECTIVE SECURITY?

“Collective security was notwidely understood to involve entanglement or risks, or evento be the basis for the defense of Britain. It was talked aboutinstead as an alternative to war, a policy which by mobilizingthe overwhelming strength of the law-abiding nations would

eliminate the need for large national armies”-OR-

the peaceful settlement of disputes by arbitration

WHERE CAN COLLECTIVE SECURITY BE FOUND?

• The League of Nations Charter:

Articles 11, 12, and 13

• The League of Nations members all get involved if any other members become involved in “any war or threat of war”

• The League of Nations make it illegal to go to war• Every country helps each other• Collective security can be understood as a security

arrangement, regional or global, in which each state in the system accepts that the security of one is the concern of all, and agrees to join in a collective response to threats to, and breaches of, the peace.

What does collective security even do?

Idealism• Talk before you shoot• Waiting periods• “Steps”

– “In the event of any failures to carry out such an award or decision, the council shall propose what steps should be taken to give effect thereto.”-Article 13

• every country helps each other

Realistic• Shoot before you think

Cons• Some critics thought that these collective

security proposals did not go far enough, since states could still in the end resort to war; others felt they went too far, since no great power could or would bind itself in advance in any significant way.

• There is no force behind the League, so nobody has to talk their internal affairs.

• Its too idealistic.

Going against the League of Nations?

• If any member “resort to war” than they have “committed an act of war against all other Members of the League”-Article 16

• The nation that broke the covenant becomes cut off by all Members of the League or non members… so basically everyone

• Proponents of collective security say it is a much more effective approach to security than individual countries trying to act alone, as weaker countries cannot possibly defend themselves, and countries that try often become involved in never-ending arms races which actually detract from, rather than enhance, their security over the long term

• ALSO, collective security arrangements encourage international cooperation, while balance of power deterrence leads to competition and conflict instead

Is it even effective?!