Book: On National Defence and International Peace

Overview
Fredrik Bajer sets out a thoughtful, pragmatic case for reconciling national defense with the pursuit of lasting international peace. Written at the turn of the 20th century, the book addresses the growing tension between rising militarism and emerging movements for arbitration and international law. Bajer frames defense not as an end in itself but as an instrument that must be measured against its consequences for peace, prosperity, and human dignity.
The work blends moral argument with political and practical prescriptions. It speaks to legislators, civic leaders, and an informed public, urging democratic oversight of armed forces, restraint in armament, and the creation of international mechanisms to resolve disputes without recourse to war.

Core Argument
At the heart of the book is the contention that national security and international peace are complementary, not contradictory. Bajer argues that a nation's legitimate right to defend itself should be exercised in ways that lessen the likelihood of escalation and mutual insecurity. Policies that promote transparency, limit offensive preparations, and prioritize defensive postures can reduce the incentives for arms races and preemptive strikes.
Bajer emphasizes that unchecked militarism undermines the very security it claims to protect. Massive standing armies and secret preparations breed fear and mistrust among nations, divert national resources from social needs, and make peaceful settlement of conflicts far more difficult. He calls for a reorientation of defense policy toward measures that stabilize relations and create predictable, enforceable rules for interstate conduct.

Proposed Reforms
Practical reform is a central thread. Bajer advocates international arbitration as a primary instrument for resolving disputes, backed by binding treaties and impartial tribunals. He supports the expansion of international conferences and permanent institutions to mediate conflicts, exchange information, and oversee compliance with arms limitations.
Domestically, Bajer urges parliamentary control over military budgets, transparency in military planning, and legal safeguards to prevent the executive from dragging nations into wars. He calls for limits on conscription practices that serve aggressive aims and for military organization that focuses on territorial defense rather than projection of force. Economic arguments appear throughout: the heavy costs of armaments, when redirected, could fund education, public health, and infrastructure, strengthening the social foundations of peace.

Philosophy and Moral Case
Moral conviction underpins Bajer's policy prescriptions. He appeals to shared humanity and the ethical duty of nations to avoid needless suffering. War is portrayed as a moral failing with vast social consequences, and peace is framed not as mere absence of conflict but as active cooperation and justice among peoples.
Bajer also stresses the educative role of civic life. Peace must be cultivated through public debate, moral education, and cross-border exchanges that build mutual understanding. Civil society, parliamentary networks, and transnational movements are presented as essential counterweights to militaristic rhetoric and secret diplomacy.

Implications and Legacy
The book anticipates many debates that would dominate the 20th century: the interplay of armaments and diplomacy, the institutions needed to manage interstate tensions, and the domestic politics of security. Its insistence on linking democratic oversight, international law, and disarmament influenced contemporary peace activists and helped shape parliamentary and civil-society efforts toward arbitration and conference diplomacy.
Bajer's proposals offer a coherent vision for tempering national defense with mechanisms that make war less likely and less justifiable. The ideas combine ethical urgency with concrete institutional steps, offering a blueprint for readers committed to transforming security policy into a force for stable and cooperative international order.