Opinion - Assignment Example

4. Is the use and threat of use of force necessary in international relations? Or to rephrase the question, is coercion necessary in dealing with our neighbors? Threat or the threat of the use of force or any form of coercion is not necessary in international relations. Once threat or the threat of the use of force is used in international relations, talks begin to bog down and relationship begins to strain. In fact, one of the necessary conditions for good international relations is the abandonment of the use of force and/or the threat of the use of force. True, the capability to defend one’s country through a credible arm forces is a deterrence of war but such capacity should not be flaunted nor be used in dealing with other countries. It will only create tension and if there is already one, it will just escalate it. No country will just give in or cower because another threatens to use force and if such will be used, it will be likely that the threat will also be met with threat and the vicious cycle will begin. So a conflict was created when there was none. So instead of using threat of the use of force, nations must instead use diplomacy in dealing with international relations. Peace is not only an end goal by itself in international relations but also a way in dealing with other countries. War and/or conflict in itself is counterproductive and achieves nothing and therefore must be avoided at all cost. Read More