PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEWS September 3, 1979 Issue

World peace and the nature of power

We live in a world that finds its stability in a balance of power among nations—a distribution of strength intended to curb the temptation of one nation to overrun or destroy another. This balance, often precarious, is maintained largely through alliances and counteralliances. Recent decades have brought dramatic shifts of economic and political power, coming sometimes unexpectedly, tipping the scales toward stability, instability, or uncertainty. For example, the new oil wealth in the Middle East is having economic and political repercussions around the world. The recent rapprochement between China and the United States is having a major impact on the attitudes and actions of these two countries and the Soviet Union—all pivotal nations.

There is something basically incongruous about depending on a particular set of hostilities and friendships to maintain peace. Why should the world suddenly have to become a more dangerous place when two enemies become friends? Or two friends go their separate ways?

Ultimately nations must progress beyond this artificial and perilous stability that a balance of mortal power has provided and begin contemplating a whole new concept of power. As a youth, David proved where true power lies in his triumph over Goliath. And later, as king, he could explain to his nation in a prayer of thanksgiving: "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine."^{I Chron. 29:11;}

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Undisturbed man