Opinion | 6 pillars for peace to end wars in Asia
Safety in isolation is a dangerous illusion. Our best hope for lasting peace lies in shared infrastructure, talent flows and investment
For a time, it seemed that economic interdependence had put an end to war between states. When Canadian psychologist Steven Pinker declared in 2011 that such wars had “almost vanished”, many believed the arc of history was bending towards peace.
Scholars have long argued that economic integration, particularly through trade, lessens the risk of conflict. There is truth in this. Since World War II, trade has indeed proven a powerful force for peace and prosperity. But in a rapidly changing world, trade alone is no longer enough to guarantee security. New, more robust mechanisms are needed to ensure that tensions between nuclear powers, especially, are contained.
