David Mitrany

David Mitrany was a Romanian-born political theorist known for his ideas on international relations and cooperation. He is best known for developing the concept of "functionalism," which suggests that nations can achieve peace and stability by collaborating on specific, practical issues like trade, health, or environmental concerns, rather than focusing solely on military or political power. Mitrany believed that as countries work together on these functional areas, they would naturally build trust and interdependence, reducing the likelihood of conflict. His ideas influenced the formation of international organizations, including the United Nations, promoting cooperative governance.