World order refers to the 'balance of powers' among nations of the world. This balance is constantly changing and evolving due to a number of reasons. There are two forms of world order, a stable world order and an unstable world order. Both are due to a number of positive and negative influences. A stable world order features harmony, inter-dependence and cooperation between nation states. There are a number of methods and means of achieving world order which have been initiated by nation states functioning together in cooperation to achieve a harmonious state of world order. One of the major means of achieving world order exists in the form of a global organization known as the 'united nations. This organization along with other subsidiary organizations has the one goal of achieving peace and ultimately a stable world order.
One of the greatest conflicts in the world's history led to the creation of the United Nations. As a result of World War II which ended in 1945, the UN was created and formed in the same year. One of the major reasons for its formation was to replace the ill-fated 'League of Nations' which was created in response to World War I but crumbled as a result of World War II. From the beginning the UN comprised of the western allies, namely Britain, France, China, the United States of America and the USSR. The UN had two goals, one to prevent the reoccurrence of any war as destructive and devastating as World War II, and two, to promote world unity and peace. The creation of the UN was the beginning of a new world order which would last for a long period of time.
When Germany was defeated all of its territory gained through expansion was split up between the western allies and the USSR. Eventually the USSR and the USA entered into a nuclear armament race, referred to as the cold-war. It was a thirteen day stand-off embroiled in political and cultural tension but never experienced any physical attacks. As a result of this war the USSR erected the 'Berlin wall'. It was a physical barrier splitting Germany into east and west. The wall itself was a threat to the current world order, as it only increased military tensions between the western allies and the USSR. The wall was eventually torn down by the residents of East Germany in 1989. In the following year 1990, then president of the USA George Bush Senior announced that 'a new world order' had begun.
There are a number of threats to a stable world order, including open conflicts between state and a civil war. These events can lead to an imbalance in the power between nations of the world and as a result world order. Another threat to world order is expansionism. This involves countries expanding their physical territory and in doing so gaining control over a larger amount of people and resources. Expansionism in itself can be due to a number of factors, including a nation state increasing its economic, political, military, religious and cultural power. When this occurs the world order and balance between nations in the world is affected.
A major threat to world order is when a signatory state defies the recommendations of the UN, such as in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. George Bush ignored UN recommendations and initiated a war against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. His defense was that Afghanistan was harboring those responsible for the attacks on America and that retaliation was acceptable. To this day the alleged leader and mastermind of the September 11 attacks remains at large despite the physical sanctions placed upon Afghanistan by the United States of America. This complete disregard of UN recommendations made the UN's power and justification for existence questionable.
But in order to combat such threats against world order, such organizations as the UN have mechanisms and procedures in place to ensure a stable world order and a harmonious co-existence between the nation states of the world. One of the major mechanisms is the existence of international law. International law exists in the form of treaties, covenants, conventions, declarations, resolutions of the UN, customary international law and other legal writings. It is important to note that unlike domestic law, international law is on a consensual basis, that is, there is no binding constitution on which law is based. International law relies on the agreement between nations. So governments of nation states will abide to international law if it is in their best interest, but sometimes what is in the best interest of one nation may be a catalyst in destabilizing world order. International law can be enforced through political, moral, economic, financial and physical sanctions.
Such sanctions were effective in dealing with the practice of apartheid which was government policy in South Africa. Apartheid involved the systematic oppression of Black South Africans by means of torture and abuse. Apartheid was classified as a crime against humanity by the UN and thus a threat to a stable world order. Members of the UN held the 'International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid'. All countries placed moral and political sanctions on the government of South Africa, and such countries as the USA also placed financial and economic sanctions as well as treaty blocks and more specifically sporting bans. These sanctions proved effective and eventually in 1991 South Africa bowed under the pressure of the world, withdrew its policy of apartheid and Nelson Mandela was elected President. This is a very good example of the UN effectively using non-physical sanction in an attempt to achieve world order.
Other mechanisms aimed towards achieving world order include the protocols of inter-dependence and world or regional federation. Inter-dependence is the idea of nation states working together to gain resources and information and technology. This inter-dependence between nations ensures cooperation between states and thus a stable world order. Examples of inter-dependence include Australia's relationships with Britain and the USA. World and regional federation refers to the unification of states, both locally and internationally. This ensures inter-dependence and causes states to work harmoniously and towards a common goal; once again ensuring a stable world order. A good example of world federation was when the major super powers of the world worked together against genocidal wars occurring in Bosnia during the civil war during 1992-1995. The world federation's actions led to the UN International covenant on the suppression and punishment of the crime of genocide. This led to NATO committing forces to the area in an act of physical sanction.
As visible above, peacekeepers and the act of peacekeeping is another mechanism for achieving world order. The decision of deploying peacekeepers is made by the UN Security Council. This is an organization devoted to ensuring and promoting world order. Peacekeepers are only deployed though when all states in the conflict agree to it. Because of the consensual nature of the UN the effectiveness of the Security Council is questionable. The peacekeepers themselves are a group of international armed forces sent to oversee and help with the provisions of aid in the form of food, medical treatment as well as to oversee government attempts at achieving peace. But they are not allowed to be involved in the conflict or take any sides, they are an independent body. For this very reason there role is strictly restricted and limited. Other good examples of peacekeeping operations include the Australian army's work in East Timor. Essentially peacekeeping is a last resort mechanism as to achieving a stable world order. This is because of the risks, commitment and costs involved in peacekeeping operations.
The more passive mechanisms aimed at achieving world peace including; conventions, treaties, covenants and International criminal tribunals are all of a consensual nature. That is it is not enforceable. But in an attempt to cross this hurdle the UN insists upon signatory states ratifying the international law with domestic law legislation, which must reflect the principles of the international document. This allows international documents to be enforced through domestic law by each signatory. It is important to note that signatory states are not forced into creating domestic legislation in accordance with international law, but it is in the best interest of world order that they do. One example of a covenant not being ratified is when Australia was criticized for not creating domestic legislation that covered the UN international covenant on the rights of the child. Australia's argument was that the existing legislation in the form of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) was sufficient.
The need for world order is strong. More mechanisms such as the UN, the International court of Justice and International Criminal Tribunals all strive for a stable world order. Other protocols such as the idea of inter-dependence and world/regional federation also promote world order. Peacekeeping operations have played a great part in the promotion of world order in the past and will continue to do so. But it is clear that the consensual nature of international law and its instruments severely weaken its resolve. For this reason it is clear that world order depends on the support and cooperation of nation states, as well as the overall desire for world order. States must show their willingness to cooperate harmoniously by supporting international documents through the ratification into domestic law. The current mechanisms for achieving world order are competent but there is much room for reform and improvement in many areas.
