Understanding Peace: Social and Psychological Aspects

Definition of Peace

• Peace means dignity and well being for all, not just the absence of war, according to UN officials at the High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace on September 9, 2014.
• All aspects of human life revolve around some kind of order or harmony that keeps it moving, growing and evolving.
• The most common understanding of peace is as a societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence.

Social Sense of Peace

• Peace is understood as a lack of conflict and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups.
• World leaders, governments, and other social institutions make efforts to establish behavioral restraints to protect rights, freedom, and dignity.
• Societal order and cooperation aim for reduction of conflicts, greater economy interactivity, and substantial prosperity.
• R.J. Rummel (1981) described peace as a state of law or civil government, a state of justice or goodness, and a balance or equilibrium of powers.

Psychological Peace

• Psychological peace is important in establishing behavioral peace.
• Peaceful behavior sometimes results from a peaceful inner disposition.
• Inner tranquility is believed to initiate peace.
• Peace is viewed as peace of mind or serenity, especially in the East.
• A peaceful person can contribute abundantly in resolving issues and spreading peace in society.

Secular Views/Perspectives on Peace and Violence

• Hugo Grotius defined peace as merely the absence of war or direct violence.
• Peace as the absence of death and destruction, is a result of war and physical/direct violence.