Justice and Peace in Society

Study Notes

Plato argues that peace is a state of balance that exists when there is justice.
He states that every society needs three functions to achieve peace: production, security, and political rule.
These functions require three aptitudes: appetite, courage, and knowledge, and three roles: workers, soldiers, and rulers.
Justice is demonstrated when society systematically determines the endowment of each member and ensures they function according to their abilities.

According to Miller (2005), peace is a political condition that ensures justice and social stability through formal and informal institutions, practices, and norms.
Politically, there is peace when there is a balance of power and political order, with stable and effective political structures.
The University for Peace defines peace as a political condition that makes justice possible.
Citizen participation in the political process must be guaranteed, and tolerance of opposing views must be ensured.

Sociologists view peace as a societal condition characterized by social harmony and the absence of social conflict, antagonism, and disrespect for norms and traditions.
Peace is also a condition in which individuals are able to meet their needs and expectations.
Structural functionalism, as proposed by Emile Durkheim, views society as an organism with interdependent parts (social institutions) that perform specific functions to meet basic needs.
Dialectical materialism, associated with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, examines the contradictions within a capitalist state, particularly class struggle.

Peace is seen as a function of the mindset of an individual or group of people.
It is concerned with citizens' perceptions of their environment, infrastructure, and the government's ability to secure their life, liberty, and property.
Peace psychologically is affected by factors such as lack of infrastructure, stress, and feelings of insecurity.