ABSTRACT
Th is may be true, but at the same time, one could also say that it is a history of assiduous eff orts and challenges to eliminate the horrors of war. Th roughout the war-and-violence-ravaged twentieth century, a system was created based on a consensus that called for a shift away from an
ethos of ‘might makes right’ to the ‘rule of law’, thanks especially to the sacrifi ces and heroic eff orts of many who brought justice to international
society. Th e United Nations, needless to say, has been central to this effort. Today, however, both the rule of law as well as the United Nations
itself are facing serious crises . . . Personally, I am extremely alarmed about the continued eff orts, even into the twenty-fi rst century, to legitimize the philosophy of ‘might makes right’ rather than the rule of law.”
