SOCSCI 2 PEACE AND

DEVELOPMENT

MODULE I: A Holistic Understanding of Peace and Violence

Learning Outcomes:

1.1 Discuss the basic concepts of peace, conflict, violence and

development 1.2 Differentiate Secular from Alternative views/concepts of
peace and Violence

1.3 Identify the significance of peace and implications of violence in the

personal, social, global and environmental level

1.4 Assess personal viewpoints and

values in line with peace, conflict and
violence.

Lesson 1: DEFINITION OF PEACE

Aims and Learning Outcomes:
through different expressions
1.1.1. Define Peace in one’s own perspective
Relate concepts of negative and positive peace with actual
1.1.2. Differentiate Negative and Positive Peace

1.1.3.

“Peace means dignity, well-being for all, not just absence of war “
– UN officials (September 9, 2014, High-level Forum on
the Culture of Peace, convened by the General
Assembly)

Peace can be viewed in different perspectives and expressed in various ways.

This is so because all aspects of human life are revolving around some kind “order”
or “harmony” that keeps it moving, growing and evolving. The most common
understanding of Peace is manifested as a “societal friendship and harmony in
the absence of hostility and violence” (Union of International Associations,
2017).
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In a SOCIAL SENSE - peace is understood as a “lack of

conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence
between individuals or groups” (Wikipedia, 2020). Leaders of
the world, governments and other social institutions make
concerted efforts such as peace- making and diplomacy to
ensure that “behavioral restraints” are established so that no
rights, freedom and dignity are being trampled on. The
establishment of this societal order and cooperation aims to
gear towards “reduction of conflicts, greater economy
interactivity and consequently substantial prosperity”
(Wikipedia, 2020). R.J. Rummel (1981) also said that
“peace is a state of law or civil government, a state of
justice or goodness, a balance or equilibrium of Powers”.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PEACE - considered important in

establishing “behavioural peace”. According to The
Encyclopedia for World Problems and Human Potentials
(2017), peaceful behaviour sometimes results from a “peaceful
inner disposition”. It is believed that by having a sense of inner
tranquillity, peace can be initiated. It is viewed as peace of mind or
serenity, especially in the East (Rummel, 1981). It also goes to
say that a peaceful person can actually contribute abundantly
in resolving issues hence, spreading peace in the society
(Union of International Associations, 2017).

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A.1. Secular Views/Perspectives on Peace and Violence

Peace was defined as merely the absence

of war or direct violence by Hugo
Grotius.

Peace was that of absence of death

and destruction as a result of war
and physical/direct violence
(Thee, 1982).

Raymond Aron “peace as more or

less lasting suspension of violent
modes of rivalry between political
units” (Barsh, 1999).

A.2. The Shift in the Concept of Peace

In 1960s, there is a “shift of attention of violence”. From direct violence to
indirect violence or “structural violence”.
The structural violence, unlike the direct or physical violence, are not
readily or obviously observed. However, the effect is the same as this type of violence
causes sufferings and even death to a great population of people.

These are commonly manifested in conditions of

extreme poverty, starvation, poor health
services and discrimination against the
minority (Castro & Galace, 2010). The presence
of these conditions eventually leads to conflicts
and unpeaceful living among communities. This
is why peace theorists and advocates are
emphasizing the importance of economic stability,
social and cultural respect and environmental
justice to eradicate conflicts and violence in the
society.

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Johan Galtung, peace theorist

and researcher, argues that, “Structural
violence occurs when the wealth of the
nation is based on labor and the people
are required to live diminished lives of
deprivation” (Monez, 1973)

A.3. Towards the Holistic Concept of Peace and Violence

Now that we are aware of the other and more gruelling truth about the indirect
or
structural violence, there is a greater challenge for peace advocates and peace-
makers that in order to achieve peace we must
“eradicate all facets of injustices” (Cheng and
Kurtz, 1998).

This means that the “uneven distribution of

wealth and resources” as well as the
“discrimination on the power to decide” must be
eliminated in the society in
order to truly achieve a sustainable condition of peace.

Moreover, the concept of peace necessarily involves our protection of

the environment. Peace with nature is considered the foundation of positive peace
(Mische, 1987). Earth is the ultimately the source of our survival, physical
sustenance, health and wealth. We are nothing without it. Sadly, nature is
seriously impaired and as a result, many forms conflicts arise.

How and why? How are

the environmental destruction and
violence related to each other?

According to Barnaby (1989),

human behavior is related to
availability of basic

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resources. Therefore, shortage of resources threatens lifestyles, rivalry for

resources can lead to aggression and violent conflict.

Since 2008, The Institute for Economics & Peace has assembled a significant
body of research on Positive Peace. The IEP has constructed the Pillars of
Peace framework consisting of eight factors that, when present in a society,
contribute to high levels of peace. They are statistically associated with social
inclusion, better performance on environmental measures, societies with levels
of resilience and adaptability, higher measures of wellbeing and stronger GDP
growth (Partners for Peace – IEP. 2020). Indeed, the peace researchers and
educators agree that “countries with higher levels of peace tend to be more
resilient to external shocks, whether they are economic, geopolitical or natural
disasters” (Institute for Economics &Peace). According to Johan Galtung, “peace
does not mean the total absence of any conflict. It means the absence of violence
in all forms and the unfolding of conflict in a constructive way”.

“Peace therefore exists where people are interacting non-violently and are
managing their conflict positively – with respectful attention to the legitimate needs
and interest of all concerned”.

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A.4 Pillars of Peace

The research defines 8 key Pillars that underpin peace; these Pillars
are both interdependent and mutually reinforcing, meaning that the relative
strength of any one Pillar has the potential to either positively or negatively
influence peace.

8 Pillars of Peace:

Well-functioning government,
sound business environment,
equitable distribution of resources,
acceptance of the rights of others,
good relations with neighbours,
free flow of information,
high level of human capital,
Low levels of corruption

B. Levels of Peace

A. Personal Peace – “a state of calm, serenity and tranquility of mind that arise
due to having no sufferings or mental disturbances such as worry, anxiety,
greed, desire, hatred, ill-will, delusion and/or other defilements” (Gogava et
al., 2018, p. 4).
B. Domestic Peace – peace that comes from mutual respect among family
members; mutual assistance among members of the family and household
C. Inter-Personal Peace - involves acceptance of differences and diversity
among people; resolving disagreements and conflicts non-violently, with
dialog and

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discussion; relating to others with compassion, empathy and a sense of

justice; living with them harmoniously (Oregonians for Peace, 2016)
D. Local Peace – love and respect among neighbours or residents of the
local community
E. Social/National Peace - respect, trust, love and understanding of
people of Different Social Groups (Religion, Ethnic Background and
Social Status)
F. International Peace - Respect for the culture and way of life of other
races / nations
G. Environmental Peace - examines and advocates environmental protection and
cooperation as a factor in creating more peaceful relations; respect for the environment
and sustainable development