Comments on: Toward a Better Defense: Preventive Force and International Security http://blog.psaonline.org/2010/01/04/toward-a-better-defense-preventive-force-and-international-security/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:45:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John Eden http://blog.psaonline.org/2010/01/04/toward-a-better-defense-preventive-force-and-international-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2263370 John Eden Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:39:24 +0000 http://blog.psaonline.org/?p=2975#comment-2263370 Thanks Samantha for the book tip. I'll have a look at Ackerman's work when I dig myself out! Thanks Samantha for the book tip. I’ll have a look at Ackerman’s work when I dig myself out!

]]> By: Samantha http://blog.psaonline.org/2010/01/04/toward-a-better-defense-preventive-force-and-international-security/comment-page-1/#comment-2225321 Samantha Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:59:17 +0000 http://blog.psaonline.org/?p=2975#comment-2225321 There is a conflict management theory, "preventive diplomacy" which resembles what I believe Sofaer is trying to say. Preventive diplomacy puts mechanisms into place and deploys forces or attempts to influence the government(s) of nations whose countries may be at risk. This can be anything from sanctions, laws, referendums, and peacekeeping forces. Two situaitons come to mind: Estonia v. Russia and language laws after the collapse of the Soviet Union; and Macedonia's perceived and fear of a Serbian minority endangering its sovereignty. In reply to your criticism of Sofaer, the actions taken by both the Estonian and Macedonian governments was well received and all the parties in both cases were satisfied. Legislation and compromise was used to settle the problem in Estonia and UN Peacekeeping forces were stationed in Macedonia. Both of these issues have remained static. There are diplomatic strains between Estonia and Russia but are not relevant to the Language and Representation issue. Macedonia has become the model for preventive diplomacy. UN involvement was set by precedent because there was a legitimate threat in Macedonia. I suggest reading Alice Ackerman's book on Preventive diplomacy. There is a conflict management theory, “preventive diplomacy” which resembles what I believe Sofaer is trying to say. Preventive diplomacy puts mechanisms into place and deploys forces or attempts to influence the government(s) of nations whose countries may be at risk. This can be anything from sanctions, laws, referendums, and peacekeeping forces. Two situaitons come to mind: Estonia v. Russia and language laws after the collapse of the Soviet Union; and Macedonia’s perceived and fear of a Serbian minority endangering its sovereignty. In reply to your criticism of Sofaer, the actions taken by both the Estonian and Macedonian governments was well received and all the parties in both cases were satisfied. Legislation and compromise was used to settle the problem in Estonia and UN Peacekeeping forces were stationed in Macedonia. Both of these issues have remained static. There are diplomatic strains between Estonia and Russia but are not relevant to the Language and Representation issue. Macedonia has become the model for preventive diplomacy. UN involvement was set by precedent because there was a legitimate threat in Macedonia.

I suggest reading Alice Ackerman’s book on Preventive diplomacy.

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