How did collective security aim to maintain peace among nations?

Collective security aims to maintain peace among nations primarily by ensuring mutual aid in the face of aggression. The underlying principle of collective security is that an attack against one member of a collective security arrangement is considered an attack against all members. This concept was notably embodied in the League of Nations and later in the United Nations. The goal is to deter potential aggressors by making it clear that they would face a united response from multiple countries if they violate the peace.

This strategy fosters a cooperative environment where nations are more likely to maintain stability, as the threat of collective action discourages acts of aggression. It relies on the commitment of member states to come to each other's defense, thus enhancing international solidarity and promoting peace.

Economic trade relationships, cultural exchanges, and population exchanges, while they may contribute to peace and understanding between nations, do not serve the primary purpose of collective security as effectively as mutual aid does in the face of potential threats. These alternatives lack the direct mechanism of reciprocal defense that collective security provides.