"All nations want peace, but they want a peace that suits them"

John Fisher’s observation about the universal desire for peace reveals a complicated aspect of international relations and human behavior. At first glance, the longing for peace might seem like a simple, shared value among all nations. However, the reality is more nuanced: what each nation defines as “peace” is often filtered through its own interests, values, historical experiences, and geopolitical ambitions.

Nations pursue peace not as an abstract ideal but as a condition that preserves or advances their specific priorities. For some, peace may mean stability on their borders, even if that stability forces neighbors into submission. Others see peace as the absence of foreign interference in their internal affairs, or the ability to exert influence over others without being threatened in return. In every case, political leaders interpret peace in a way that aligns with broad national goals, security concerns, and economic objectives.

This dynamic frequently leads to diplomatic friction. When each nation seeks a version of peace tailored to its own benefit, their definitions can be incompatible, making genuine and lasting agreements rare and fragile. For instance, a powerful nation might value the predictability provided by a balance of power arrangement, while a weaker country might define peace as protection from the impositions of that power. Thus, negotiations often become complicated bargaining sessions where compromise is difficult, as each side has a different vision of the ideal outcome.

Furthermore, peace that favors the powerful seldom satisfies the less advantaged, leading to unrest and renewed conflict. History is full of “peace treaties” that merely laid the groundwork for future hostilities because they failed to address, or even acknowledged, the competing interests at play. Fisher’s insight exposes the challenge of building a truly inclusive and sustainable peace: it requires nations to look beyond their own interests, an achievement that remains as difficult as it is essential.