Given that war is brutal and terrifying, we need, above all, institutions and law on a global scale that can prevent it from happening. Éamon de Valera recognised that in a profoundly insightful manner when he supported the founding of the League of Nations. The United Nations followed, but it was stymied by the Cold War. Nevertheless, at least during the Cold War there was real stability, albeit of an unpleasant and disagreeable kind, because two major blocs faced each other.