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Collective Security[1]

General

The term “collective security” is commonly understood as the military defense by means of broad-based alliances among many nations who are pledged to help defend each other against aggressors. In this respect, it is somewhat synonymous with the terms “international security” and “regional security”.

The principles of collective security were laid down by the ideology of relative pacifism early in the 20th century. Many pacifists believed that peace can be maintained only by a readiness to use force in certain circumstances. Proponents of the theory of collective security called for the establishment of regional and international alliances of peace-loving nations against peace violators. Collective security supporters also stood for the creation of international machinery that was able not only to make settlements but to enforce them as well.

The greatest impetus to collective security in modern times was the development and use of nuclear weapons. Faced with the possibility of total nuclear war, many nations started working for the ban of nuclear weapons production and testing, and for the nuclear disarmament. Nowadays, advocates of collective security accordingly support all international organizations such as the United Nations, with its more elaborate machinery for keeping the peace.

Collective security is a broad and complex topic both for countries engaged in relationships with other nations, and for observers trying to understand those interactions. These relationships are influenced by many variables. They are shaped by the primary participants in international security relations – called collective security actors – including national leaders, other politicians, and nongovernmental participants, such as private citizens, corporations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s). Collective security relationships are also affected by domestic political events and nonpolitical influences, including economics, geography, and culture. Despite all of these other influences, the primary focus of collective security is on the interactions between nations.

The universally recognized international organization aimed at international collective security is the UN. The largest modern regional alliances for collective security are NATO, OAU, OAS, OSCE, EU, and WEU.

UNSC Role in International Security

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the UN. Under the United Nations Charter, the Security Council is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Under Chapter VII of the Charter, the UNSC is the only UN organ that can order enforcement action if a case of aggression or breach of peace has been established. Enforcement action can range from economic sanctions to military measures. Disputes and breaches of peace may be brought before the Security Council by any UN member nation. Countries that are not members of the council may be invited to participate in the discussion without a vote.

The UNSC has 15 members, of which 5 are permanent: the United States, Russia, Great Britain, France, and China. The other members are elected by the General Assembly (GA) to serve nonconsecutive two-year terms. Every year five new countries are elected to these seats, which rotate on a geographical basis: five from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East; two from Western countries; two from Latin America; and one from Eastern Europe. The presidency of the Council is held for a month at a time by each of the members.

Nine affirmative votes are required to pass a resolution. In procedural decisions, any nine votes suffice. On all substantive matters, however, all five permanent members must support the resolution. A negative vote from any of the five permanent members prevents the adoption of any resolution, even if all other members vote in favor. This negative vote is known as the veto right of the great powers.

The UNSC also recommends to GA admission of new UN members and appointment of a new Secretary General. The Council participates equally with the GA in electing judges to the International Court of Justice. The UNSC has standing committees and may establish ad hoc bodies.

Regional Alliances for Collective Security

The largest modern regional alliances for collective security are the EU, OSCE,  NATO, WEU, OAU, and OAS.

The members of the European Union (EU) cooperate in three areas, often referred to as pillars. At the heart of this system is the EC pillar with its supranational functions and its governing institutions. The EC pillar is flanked by two pillars based on intergovernmental cooperation: Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Justice and Home Affairs (JHA). These two pillars are a result of the Maastricht agreement to develop closer cooperation in these areas. However, because the members were unwilling to cede authority to supranational institutions, policy decisions in these pillars are made by unanimous cooperation between members and cannot be enforced. For the most part, the governing institutions of the EC pillar have little or no input in the other two.

The Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), formerly known as the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), is a multinational forum for the promotion of peace, security, justice, and cooperation in Europe. The OSCE takes an active role in Europe, not only discussing problems, but also organizing missions and helping to resolve violence throughout Europe. The OSCE major permanent bodies are: the Secretariat (in Prague, the Czech Republic), the Conflict-Resolution Centre (in Vienna, Austria), and the Election-Monitoring Office (in Warsaw, Poland).

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a regional defense alliance, created by the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on April 4, 1949. The original signatories were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United States. Greece and Turkey were admitted to the alliance in 1952, West Germany in 1955, and Spain in 1982. In 1990 the newly unified Germany replaced West Germany as a NATO member. Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic became members of NATO in 1999. The organization has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. NATO’s purpose is to enhance the stability, well-being, and freedom of its members through a system of collective security. That is, members of the alliance agree to defend one another from attack by other nations. Over the years the existence of NATO has led to closer ties among its members and to a growing community of interests. The treaty itself has provided a model for other collective security agreements.