Each nation regards itself as sovereign and competitive. Most corporations must compete to survive. Dominant national and business interests dictate much of international relations. Even the US government justifies its actions, and particularly its wars, primarily in terms of its own interests, although Ideals are frequently also cited. The UN and international courts have only historical precedents and agreements such as Treaties that provide limited authority with even more limited enforceability. Religions vouchsafe various ideals, but the variety of religions confuses realization of ideals. Justice is at best local and time-dependent.
Ideals are strong motivators within nations, businesses, religions, social groups, families, and individuals. However political, group, and individual understanding is subject to what psychologists have proved to be pervasive self-serving biases, optimism, and overconfidence, compounded by viewing others in stereotypical terms (see e.g., Thinking, Fast and Slow).
Ideals such as Good, Truth, Love, Beauty, Peace, and Justice are ungraspable, yet non-authoritarian civilizations from the ancient Greeks onward depended on Ideals. In the world at large, Ideals do not manifest, yet we intuitively realize Ideals in experiences of awe, wonder, grace, love, and deep appreciation of nature and each other. Ideals transcend and underlie both the physical world and our understanding. I think that when humans, the world, and even our universe ultimately fades and dissembles, Ideals will not have diminished.
Thich Naht Hahn's small book "Be Still and Know" includes "Peace is all around us, in the world and in nature, in our bodies and our spirits. Once we learn to touch this peace, we will be healed and transformed. It is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of practice." Peace is one Ideal among many, e.g., love, compassion, kindness, truth, and equanimity; Thich Naht Hahn's statement applies equally to each Ideal. Realizing and manifesting Ideals can be approached through practice.
Zen Practice is one approach. Suzuki Roshi, the founder of San Francisco Zen Center and Tasajara Monastery, said "The Truth, or Source, is something beyond our consciousness, something we cannot approach through our feeling or thought, or even through our senses. It is the source of all being, including our thoughts and whatever we can see, touch, smell, taste, or hear. Yet through practice (of Zen) we may realize it." Ideals become increasingly evident through Zen Practice, frequently seemingly by osmosis over the years.