Do powerful countries have any particular obligations towards less powerful countries? How about rich countries in relation to poorer ones?
Countries with an abundance of power or wealth are obligated to present aid towards less powerful and poorer countries. The act of one nation extending its wealth and influence upon another, promotes several aspects of diplomacy. Such behavior exhibits good international relations between states, encouraging present and future peaceful interactions within multilateral diplomatic means. The provision of aid will contribute to the theory of globalization, which the Eco Justice Education Organization claims will “contribute to the development of global markets and greater efficiencies and profits.” There will be less diversity between failing and thriving economies, causing the world markets to benefit and comply to the majority of its participants. At minimum, the example set forth by the assisting country will be an influential step for spectator nations towards unanimously achieving world peace. Diplomatic measures are taken in order to steadily advance the world as a whole, to effectively do so all nations are obliged to collaboratively work for the common good; stronger countries providing aid when necessary and capable.
Effective and efficient world progression is dependent on balancing all aspects of individual nation’s cultures with international nations. Geoffrey Wiseman’s, “Pax Americana: Bumping into Diplomatic Culture,” describes Hedley Bull’s theory explaining the importance of spreading the wealth. “World politics is better seen not as an international system of interacting parts where older is more or less maintained but by the balance of power, international law, war, the great powers, and diplomacy all contribute to order” (Bull 2002:166). Bull’s theory explains that order is maintained primarily through equity of power, treatment, and diplomatic means. While complete Universal equality is farfetched, order and advancement of vulnerable nations is achievable, through contributions of dominantly wealthy and powerful nations. This theory of cohesive living necessitates advanced countries to provide assistance towards struggling nations.
Wealthy nations are not obliged by law, command, or force to help progressing countries but morally. The aid must come from a countries conscious effort since requirements are not implemented. Currently, countries of greater gross income aspire to donate .07% of national earnings towards countries in need, according to “Foreign Aid and Development Assistance.” This moral responsibility provides developing nations to receive extra income in order to reciprocate efforts back to global advancement. In conclusion, when struggling countries desire help and another country has the capacity to do so they are morally obliged to act in the advancement of the world as a whole in order to maintain stability and exhibit peace.
Rachel starts by stating that countries with an “abundance of power or wealth” are obliged to help those countries that are poor and weak. To know if your country has that “abundance” of power or wealth, you need to define the difference between “abundant” and average. You also need to define the difference between a poor or weak country and an average country. What defines power, wealth, poverty, and weakness? I agree with Rachel in her interpretation of Bull’s Order in that it is “maintained primarily through equity of power, treatment, and diplomatic means.” The one part of Bull’s Order I don’t agree with is how international war contributes to order. You cannot have order yet have war at the same time. Order needs to be defined. Using order in association with the term war is supporting a hierarchy of power rather than a balance of power. Also, it is important to embrace the new but it is also important to never forget the old. You need to incorporate a balance of both the old and the new through “the balance of power, international law… great powers and diplomacy.” Nobody should argue with Rachel’s opinion in that countries are “morally obligated” to help each other to be the best country they can possibly be. The more countries support each other, the closer we will get to having world peace.
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