Towards a New World Order.

By : khairi janbek.


Taking a general view of international relations as they have developed from ancient times to this day, it is very easy to see that such relations form a continuous chain of conflicts, wars, and bloodshed, which has claimed heavy tolls on human lives-not to mention the destruction of material and cultural values. Therefore, the question arises if whether it is still possible to humanise international relations. I mean the question is not really a simple one, because the idea of" humanitarian' is inseparable from the notions of morality and faith.

Today, the moral side of the activity of states on the international arena cannot but cause extreme anxiety. We have to confess that, estrangement from universal human values and from the principles of humanism has always been inherent in the foreign policy of states, making thus, inter-state relations heavily dependent on the notion of balance of forces. So, all that is availbale now, is the reductionism in relations between states, into levels of brinkmanship, and the brandishment of all sorts of weapons of mass destruction.

The nature of the confrontation is indicative of the absence of the international will, to seek alternative ways of developing relations among states in order to settle vital issues for the continued existence of our world. Clearly, new opportunities have opened up today to establish fruitful cooperation amanog states, with the full realisation, of greater inter-dependence among them. Therefore and in this context, it should be inadmissible to contaminate the sphere of cooperation, with cultural differences, as well as use and abuse culture in order to build up tension and mistrust in relations between states.

This in turn, pre-supposes a change in definition when it comes to the concept of foreign policy. Meaning basically; the renunciation of outsated ideas, cultural stereotypes and myths that have outlived their time. It will involve the common rejection of imposing on the world; one's own exclusive values and ways of thinking, while calling in the same vein the recognition of the pluralistic nature of the world, and the freedom of every people to take the road of its own choice for development.

In essence, a paradign shift from the notion of balance of power to a balnce of mutual interests is urgently required for the basis of inter-relations among states.