May 5th was Europe Day, an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. There were lively exchanges over whether NATO or the EU has kept the peace in Europe.
NATO is a military alliance which works on the premise that to ensure peace you have to prepare for war. It has neither the doctrine, personnel, tools, budget or institutions to undertake nation building or assist in the transition to democracy, the rule of law, or human rights.
The EU has helped countries overcome dictatorship and democratise, reform their constitutions and improve public services. In 2012 the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for helping transform Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace and for advancing reconciliation, democracy and human rights.
Peace is achieved through determination and wilful action, not through the threat of military might. The EU’s democratic nations working together can and do achieve this. This year more than any other we would be wise to remind ourselves of the legacy of peace and prosperity the architects of the EU have left us and defend it by remaining a part of the EU.
Peter Garbutt
Crookes & Crosspool Green Party
Peace is achieved through determination and wilful action, not through the threat of military might.
15th May 2016
Topics: City Wide, EU referendum, Europe, Featured, Human Rights, International, peace, Peter Garbutt, War and Disarmament
Being in the EU certainly does help keep the peace through pulling nations together and facilitating the use of soft power. A prime reason for voting Remain amongst many other reasons.
However we do need a military alliance as well and should stay in NATO and maintain our national defence budgets at 2% GDP. Hard power backs up the soft. I do have huge doubts about Trident replacement though on cost grounds and also because the consequences of ever using it don’t bear thinking about.