A little over two centuries ago, 1795 to be exact, Immanuel Kant published a political pamphlet Zum ewigen Frieden (To a Perpetual Peace). It was a practical alternative to war and an approach to conflict resolution but human nature remains unrestrained. I am reminded of it as butchery continues in many parts of our planet; driven by simple hatred in some cases and elitist philosophies like "just war" in others. Kant recognized the futility of his effort and concluded man's only peace would be that of the grave. Churchill said "Jaw, jaw is better than war, war." We have reversed his aphorism. Should international law afford protection to the small as well as the large, the poor as well as the rich, the weak as well as the powerful?
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