Fredsplikt

Fredsplikt is a normative principle in international relations and political philosophy that describes an obligation to pursue or maintain peace. The term combines fred meaning peace and plikt meaning duty or obligation in several Nordic languages, and is used to denote a duty of restraint and non-aggression by states and other actors.

The concept does not denote a formal treaty but is used in scholarly discourse to analyze state behavior, peace agreements, and post-conflict reconstruction. It has been associated with Nordic diplomatic practice and with pacifist and liberal peace theories that emphasize diplomacy, mediation, and rule-based order.

Core elements include refraining from aggressive weapons, honoring ceasefires, honoring international commitments, engaging in preventive diplomacy, and using economic or legal tools rather than force. It is often discussed in relation to the UN Charter and jus ad bellum, highlighting a duty to prefer peaceful means.

Applications appear in policy debates, constitutional discussions about military obligations, and in peace-building programs that aim to reduce arms races and escalate de-escalation. Critics argue that fredsplikt can be vague, may constrain legitimate self-defense, and rests on uncertain enforcement.

See also: international law, jus ad bellum, peacekeeping, diplomacy, mediation.