"Violence is not to be undertaken by private persons. If a state or administration acts without due and visible attention to agreed international process, it acts in a way analogous to a private person. It purports to be judge of its own interest"
- Rowan Williams
About this Quote
Rowan Williams, in this quote, presents a thoughtful critique on the use of violence and the duties of state actors in global relations. He refutes personal people participating in violence, indicating that such actions fall outside the boundaries of accepted social and legal norms. The underlying message is that violence by personal individuals is invalid due to the fact that it lacks the authority and responsibility that comes with state governance or international oversight.
Williams then extends this review to state actors, suggesting that when a state takes part in violence or coercive actions without sticking to established worldwide standards or processes, it is successfully imitating a rogue specific instead of an accountable member of the international neighborhood. Such unilateral actions by states can weaken international law and the cooperative frameworks designed to handle global peace and security.
By specifying that the state "purports to be judge of its own interest," Williams critiques the potential arrogance and unilateralism of states that bypass international systems developed to guarantee fairness and legitimacy. This behavior can result in a breakdown in worldwide cooperation and trust, as each state starts to prioritize its own interests above cumulative contracts.
Furthermore, this mindset can incentivize other states to do the same, producing a cycle of skepticism and dispute. The contrast Williams makes between private people and rogue states emphasizes the value of responsibility and shared regard in global relations. It highlights the requirement for states to be transparent and to validate their actions within the structure of global law and agreed-upon procedures, promoting a more organized and tranquil global society.
Eventually, Williams emphasizes the ethical measurement of state actions on the worldwide phase, prompting states to consider the wider implications of their choices and to engage with the world neighborhood in a spirit of cooperation and adherence to shared concepts.