Between international war and small-scale confrontations are conflicts and disasters that must be addressed. A member state may conclude that its national interests are not directly affected. But it should also assess what kind of world environment will be created if some crises are left unsolved. Between assistance to the poorest countries and advanced economic progress lies the struggle for development. Old approaches have not done enough.
Development today is understood to have many dimensions.
The best way to achieve it is through cooperation, through multilateral effort. And between anarchy and democracy lies the process of democratization. Democratic governments are the best assurance that nations will live in peace. The U.N. can promote democratization in places where no single outside country can succeed. Support for U.N. efforts now will pay big dividends for democracy later.