The 1971 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Willy Brandt, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, for his efforts to strengthen cooperation in western Europe through the EEC and to achieve reconciliation between West Germany and the countries of Eastern Europe. In his Nobel lecture he said that “War is no longer the ultima ratio but rather the ultima irratio. ” Ultima ratio is Latin for “last argument,” or last resort, referring to the use of force. Louis XIV of France had Ultima Ratio Regum (“last argument of kings”) cast on the cannons of his armies.
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes created by the Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer Alfred Nobel. Since 1901 it has been awarded annually (with some exceptions) to those who have “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses” Over the next few months we’ll be introducing you to the past Nobel laureates, leading up to the award of the 2016 prize in October.
