A Critical Analysis of the Concept of Collective Security in the Current International System

When it comes to collective security, and specifically collective security as a “system”, the existence of a sort of order and a form of rule of law is presumed. However, the distribution of power in the post-World War II era, which is based on the old balance-of-power pattern, has failed to realize collective security in its most developed form, i.e., as a deterrent against any violation of the prohibition on the use of force. That is where the issue of international terrorism, as a turning point in contemporary history, has made the dichotomy between self-defense and collective security more evident. It seems that the clash between these two concepts has caused the collective security system to be undermined if not completely destroyed, and thus be replaced with unilateral policies.