Peace

Peace is defined as a condition in which a community, country, or state exists without active warfare or civil unrest. The term is used in two ways: one referring to the cessation of conflict, and another referring to the existence of a system of justice, equitable distribution of resources, and the resolution of disputes in a manner that sustains peace.

Peace scholars typically distinguish between 'negative peace' (the absence of violence) and 'positive peace' (the elimination of the economic, political, and social causes that give rise to conflict). This distinction became prominent in twentieth-century peace studies.

Foundational perspectives

Theories of peace examine how conflict originates. Some emphasize the balance of power between states; others consider 'structural violence'—situations in which social institutions prevent people from meeting needs for education, health, or rights, without direct warfare. There is also a view that states bound together by trade, agreements, and multilateral institutions are less likely to wage war on one another.

Methods of building

Peacebuilding work typically consists of mediation, dialogue involving parties to the conflict, ceasefire agreements, disarmament, and the reintegration of combatants into society. When an agreement is signed, it is usually followed by peacekeeping operations, institutional reconstruction, and transitional justice mechanisms to address past violations. Success often depends on whether internal stakeholders have a stake in maintaining the agreement, not merely on external pressure.

International level

The international system established after the Second World War was built around institutions designed to reduce interstate war, foremost among them the United Nations. The Security Council has authority to authorize sanctions or action. However, the power of these bodies is limited by the agreement of permanent members, and most contemporary conflicts are intrastate rather than interstate.