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

“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

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of basic 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

Sources:
- Castro, L. & Galace, J. (2010). Peace Education: A Pathway to a culture of peace.
Quezon
City, Philippines. Center for Peace Education, Meriam College.
- https://news.un.org/en/story/2014/09/476992-peace-means-dignity-well-being-all-
not-
just-absence-war-un
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace
- http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/problem/155830
- https://www.partnersforpeace.com.au/institute-for-economics-and-peace/
- https://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/TJP.CHAP2.HTM#1
- http://visionofhumanity.org/sites/default/files/Pillars%20of%20Peace%20Report%2
0IEP.pdf
- https://positivepsychology.com/inner-peace-happiness/
- https://www.facebook.com/oregoniansforpeace/posts/interpersonal-
peaceinterpersonal-peace-involves-acceptance-of-differences-and-
di/1079481738804296/
- http://www.irenees.net/bdf_fiche-notions-
186_en.html#:~:text=Johan%20Galtung%2C%20the%20father%20of,'%20(e.g.%20Ga
ltung%201996).&text=Peace%20does%20not%20mean%20the,conflict%20in%20a%
20constructive%20way.

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