We learn from history that mankind learns nothing from history. The current crisis in Crimea is a case in
point. The balance of power doctrine attempts to seek international order by maintaining equilibrium of
power among many rivals by preventing the preponderant exercise of power by any one state. This requires
the willingness of individual nations to change alliances as the situation demands. It was the stated
British objective during much of the time till World War I. After the war it gave rise to an alternate
system characterized by cooperation and community of power which led to the League of Nations in 1919.
The idea was forgotten and WW II ensued.
World War II was a turning point in history. It was a kind of laxative administered to the planet to get
rid of its toxin of colonialism to globalize freedom giving rise to a new international order. The U.S.
was largely instrumental in setting up the United Nations in 1945, reviving the idea of cooperation and
community of power. However Gandhi feared that the tendency for violence could still persist as long as
nations disregard the pursuit of right means based on nonviolence and truth in seeking ends.
The use of the nuclear bomb was the major factor influencing the cold war between the U.S. and the
U.S.S.R. It soon put an end to the idea of cooperation and revived the balance of power doctrine. The
former had given rise to notions of international cooperation, peaceful co-existence and nonalignment
for the pursuit of neutrality. The majority of nations in the world representing most of mankind would
have vastly benefitted from this if only the sole purpose of the U.N. was directed towards working for
promoting it. Instead we created outside the U.N. many mutual security pacts. The veto in the Security
Council greatly weakened its influence. Lately its Charter of Peace has actually been used as an
instrument of war. So much for learning from history.
Crimea has been part of Russia for three hundred years. To understand the present crisis one has to
examine the history of the evolution and systematic expansion of NATO, the dismantling of the Warsaw
Pact and Russia’s security concerns. Both nations must learn from history and genuinely desire peace.
Both should realize that the international society is much more than merely their allies.
V.N. Krishnan
Bowling Green