ABSTRACT
Progressive philosophers and politicians dream about non-violent worlds. Pragmatic lawyers discuss the problem of legitimate and illegitimate uses of force. During the second half of the twentieth century Article 51 was implemented far too often. In too many cases both sides in an armed conflict justified the use of force by invoking the right of self-defense. International terrorism sponsored by states represents an imminent danger for world peace and security. The international community has two choices: either to recognize the right of self-defense against states which support terrorism or drug trafficking; or to recognize the competence of the Security Council to undertake collective sanctions against such states. The second approach seems to be more promising since it enables the international community to avoid those cases where armed force would be used as a pretext to combat terrorism or drug trafficking.
