[COLUMNIST] The ethos of the United Nations

Since the dawn of the humanity, the necessity for norms has been evident, arising from human beings` capacity of reason and free will. Norms were established to safeguard the human mind/capacity of reason from descending into malevolence. Another crucial point that warrants emphasis is that the so-called “Wild World/Wild Nature”—which I personally find a misnomer—requires no normative structures, whereas norms are absolutely indispensable for human society.

Let us recall a deeply bitter truth — in 2019, the World Health Organization found it necessary to explain how we ought to wash our hands. Among the core principles of the peace agreement proposed by Azerbaijan to Armenia in 2022 were respect for the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of the neighboring country. The number of examples reflecting bitter realities that should have no place in the 21st century—and which deal a blow to our level of civilization—can easily be multiplied.

In ancient Greece and even in Confucianism had a concept/goal of Common Good. The concept of Common Good, which has developed over time with the influence of various religious, political, ideological, conjunctural processes and other factors throughout the history, maintains its essence. This is Civilization of Peaceful Coexistence.

- The main idea of Confucianism was: “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire”.

- Plato argued that a just society is one where everyone fulfills their role for the benefit of the whole. According to Plato the common good is linked to justice, harmony, and the moral development of citizens.

- Aristotle defined the common good as the flourishing (eudaimonia) of all citizens through virtue and civic participation.

- Cicero was advocating for laws that serve the common welfare.

- Al-Farabi envisioned the ideal society as one that aims toward the perfection and happiness of all its members - collective happiness/common good is achieved through the development of moral and intellectual virtues.

- St. Thomas Aquinas defined the common good as the purpose of law and governance: peace, justice, and the flourishing of the community in alignment with divine law.

- Enlightenment thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that the general will (the collective interest) represents the common good.

If everyone attempts to declare and impose their own version of “the good” upon the society they live in, chaos becomes inevitable. It is not the individual`s benefit, but that which is reasonable and serves the Common Good of all, that constitutes the demand of Universal Ethos. We can assert that this understanding holds true on a broader scale for the global community as well. The most comprehensive document serving the Common Good of the world society is the UN Charter. The advancement of our level of civilization is directly proportional to the strengthening of the UN Charter’s constitutional authority.

The devastating consequences of the First World War prompted humanity to recall the notion of the Common Good. In response, the League of Nations was established, and a (weak) mechanism was designed to secure global peace. Unfortunately, within the prevailing atmosphere shaped by the demands of humanity’s then-level of civilization, the League of Nations was stillborn. The absence of an effective mechanism to secure world peace flung the doors wide open to the Second World War. The tragic aftermath of the Second World War gave rise to a new organization—the United Nations—emerging from the ashes of the League of Nations.

Let us remember the Article 2(1) of the UN Charter: “The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.” This means that all member states, regardless of size or power, have equal rights and responsibilities under international law.

Article 2(4) states that “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”

Within the framework of the UN Charter and, more broadly, international law, Azerbaijan ended Armenia’s occupation by military means in 2020 and 2023. After patiently waiting for three decades for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884, Azerbaijan was ultimately compelled to enforce/fulfill them through military action in 2020 and 2023.

As long as we remain committed to the UN Charter, we will begin to see our fundamental problems—and the grave dangers that await us—with greater clarity. Chief among these are poverty and climate change.

Tomorrow may be too late. We have no other home. Let us not destroy our shared home—our Earth. Do you think we are sufficiently conscious of the need to leave the Earth livable for future generations?

---