These have been documented and the evidence given for them elsewhere, 8 as will be noted for each.Ĭonflict is a balancing of powers among interests, capabilities, and wills. My perspective and associated meaning of peace are best summarized through a number of social principles. This and Chapter 3 are thus the prologue to my subsequent theory of a just peace. 7a In this Chapter I will review this perspective, make clear the imbedded meaning of peace, describe its related qualities and dimensions, and prepare for considering alternative conceptualizations in the next Chapter. My perspective, which sees peace as a phase in a conflict helix, an equilibrium within a social field, has been presented in the previous four volumes. Peace is thereby locked into a descriptive or explanatory view of our reality and each other. 7 Through a perspective peace is endowed with meaning by being linked to other concepts within a particular perception of reality and by its relationship to ideas or assumptions about violence, history, divine grace, justice. In this diversity of meanings, peace is no different from such concepts as justice, freedom, equality, power, conflict, class, and, indeed, any other concept.Īll concepts are defined within a theory or cognitive framework-what I have called elsewhere a perspective. Socialist, fascist, and libertarian have different perspectives, as do power or idealistic theorists of international relations.
Christian, Hindu, or Buddhist will see peace differently, as will pacifist or internationalist. The problem is, of course, that peace derives its meaning and qualities within a theory or framework. Peace may be a dichotomy (it exists or it does not) or continuous, passive or active, empirical or abstract, descriptive or normative, or positive or negative. Or it may be narrow in conception, referring to specific relations in a particular situation (like a peace treaty), or overarching, covering a whole society (as in a world peace). It may refer to an internal state (of mind or of nations) or to external relations. Peace may be opposed to or an opposite of antagonistic conflict, violence, or war. Such meanings of peace function at different levels. It is defined as a state of law or civil government, a state of justice or goodness, a balance or equilibrium of Powers. It is viewed as peace of mind or serenity, especially in the East. Peace, however, is also seen as concord, or harmony and tranquility. This meaning is widely accepted among irenologists 6 and students of international relations.
Pacifists have adopted this interpretation, for to them all violence is bad. Perhaps the most popular (Western) view is as an absence of dissension, violence, or war, a meaning found in the New Testament and possibly an original meaning of the Greek word for peace, Irene. Consider: "Peace at any price." 1 "The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war." 2 "Peace is more important than all justice." 3 "I prefer the most unjust peace to the justest war that was ever waged." 4 "There never was a good war or a bad peace." 5 Peace has always been among humanity's highest values-for some, supreme. William Blake: "The Divine Image" Songs of Innocence THE JUST PEACE Chapter 2 What Is Peace? * WHAT IS PEACE? CONCEPTS, QUALITIES, AND SOCIAL CONTRACTĩ:Implementation of a Just Peace:Incrementalism
0 kommentar(er)
