Using authoritative extracts from the relevant and important sources at the time, this volume, originally published in 1972, deals with the problems and difficulties of maintaining peace in the world. The control of the use of force remains the most intractable, and yet the most important, problem in international relations. Although the antagonists change, antagonism appears to be almost an inherent feature of inter-state relations and although global conflict has been avoided for the past quarter of a century, the risk is always present. The cost of such anarchy in international relations, measured in terms of human suffering and wastage of resources, is appalling.

In this book, Dr Bowett looks at the need for peaceful settlement of international disputes, the peacekeeping role of the United Nations, aid to developing countries and disarmament, and suggests that the structure of international society based on the Sovereign State could be modified to lessen the risk of conflict. The extracts include statements by Khrushchev, Mao Tse-Tung, Che Guevara, Dag Hammarskjöld, U Thant, Ho Chi-Minh, and selections from many national and international documents.