In the aftermath of the Cold War, the world anticipated a new international order where law would prevail over force. The consolidation of International Law was expected to provide a framework for state actions, ensuring that power would no longer dictate outcomes in global affairs. However, the emergence of “new wars,” genocides, ethnic cleansing, and the increasing involvement of non-state actors revealed the inadequacy of the existing legal framework to address contemporary security challenges, highlighting the persistent tension between might and right in world politics.
The XIII Forte de Copacabana International Security Conference examined this tension, exploring the interplay between military power and legal norms. The publication is organized into three chapters: the first addresses the balance of law and force in international security; the second examines Brazilian and European perspectives on defense and geo-economics; and the third considers strategies for restoring peace in conflict-affected regions. The contributions emphasize the importance of updating International Law, considering non-traditional power factors such as economics, culture, and regional influence, while maintaining normative foundations that guide the exercise of force.
The discussion also highlights differing approaches between regions, with Brazil emphasizing diplomacy and restraint in the use of force, while Europe shows increasing engagement in security matters. The publication underscores the relevance of institutional cooperation, including NATO, national authorities, and non-state actors, in constructing a model of global governance based on political stability and sustainable peace. Over the past 13 years, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Brazil, together with CEBRI and the European Union, has fostered dialogue on international security to strengthen democracy and peace worldwide.
Ano: 2016
Producido por: Brazilian Center of International Relations e Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Brasil
Editor: Jan Woischnik
