Trust takes years to build and seconds to break - not least when it comes to international relations. ETH researchers investigate what it takes to build confidence on the global stage.
In spy films, a red telephone symbolises a direct line between the US president and the Soviet or Russian leader - and when it rings, the audience holds its breath. In reality, an actual red telephone was never part of the protocol, though it's true that a secure hotline existed between the two superpowers at the peak of the Cold War. The system was designed to ensure crucial communication could take place before anyone pressed the metaphorical red button - another iconic symbol, this time for a nuclear strike.
"The primary purpose of a direct line between governments is to prevent or resolve misunderstandings. It's an important tool for maintaining or building trust," says scientist Simon Mason, head of the Mediation Support Team at ETH Zurich's Center for Security Studies.
Trust is a valuable commodity, whether between individuals or nations, but it's far from guaranteed. "In international relations, we generally assume that trust doesn't exist by default and must first be established," explains Andreas Juon, a postdoctoral researcher in ETH Zurich's International Conflict Research Group. "That's because no higher authority exists to punish states for abusing trust," Juon adds. While the UN is tasked with maintaining world peace, it has never evolved into a "global police force". And even within the UN Security Council, consensus on effective sanctions is often lacking -let alone agreement on military interventions to prevent or punish misconduct. Consequently, nations must always remain vigilant against potential threats, such as the emerging territorial ambitions of their neighbours.
International relations therefore require a dual strategy: preserving trust during peacetime and rebuilding it during conflicts. Mason's team primarily focuses on how negotiation and mediation methods can promote peace. According to Mason, three key elements are essential for finding the path back to cooperation and peace: trust, mutual understanding and the willingness to work together.
These three elements are interconnected. Without understanding, trust cannot grow; and without trust, there's little motivation to empathise with the other party. "It's more difficult to work on building understanding and trust when parties are fundamentally unwilling to seek solutions to the conflict through negotiation," says Mason, speaking from experience.
Globe Do you trust me?
This text appeared in the 25/01 issue of the ETH magazine Globe .
