Defending pacifism against the charge that it is naïvely utopian, Transformative Pacifism offers a critical theory of the existing world order, and points in the direction of concrete ethical and political action. Pacifism is a transformative philosophy with wide ranging implications. It aims to transform political, social, and psychological structures. Its focus is deep and wide. It is similar to other transformative social theories: feminism, ecology, animal welfare, cosmopolitanism, human rights theory. Indeed, behind those theories is often the pacifist idea that violence, power, and domination are wrong. Pacifist theory raises consciousness about unjustifiable violence. This in turn leads to transformations in practical life. Many other books defend nonviolence and pacifism by focusing on failed justifications of war, as well as on the strategic value of nonviolence. This book begins by reviewing and accepting those sort of arguments. It then focuses on what a commitment to pacifism and nonviolence means in terms of a variety of practical issues. Pacifists reject the violent presuppositions of a society based upon power, strength, nationalism, and the system of militarized nation-states. Pacifism transforms psychological, social, political, and economic life. This book will be of interest to those who are disenchanted with ongoing violence, violent rhetoric, terrorism, wars, and the war industry. It gives anyone with pacifist sympathies reassurance: pacifists are not wrong to think that violence and war are immoral, irrational, and insane and that there is always an alternative.
Defending pacifism against the charge that it is naïvely utopian, Transformative Pacifism offers a critical theory of the existing world order, and points in the direction of concrete ethical and political action. Pacifism is a transformative philosophy with wide ranging implications. It aims to transform political, social, and psychological structures. Its focus is deep and wide. It is similar to other transformative social theories: feminism, ecology, animal welfare, cosmopolitanism, human rights theory. Indeed, behind those theories is often the pacifist idea that violence, power, and domination are wrong. Pacifist theory raises consciousness about unjustifiable violence. This in turn leads to transformations in practical life. Many other books defend nonviolence and pacifism by focusing on failed justifications of war, as well as on the strategic value of nonviolence. This book begins by reviewing and accepting those sort of arguments. It then focuses on what a commitment to pacifism and nonviolence means in terms of a variety of practical issues. Pacifists reject the violent presuppositions of a society based upon power, strength, nationalism, and the system of militarized nation-states. Pacifism transforms psychological, social, political, and economic life. This book will be of interest to those who are disenchanted with ongoing violence, violent rhetoric, terrorism, wars, and the war industry. It gives anyone with pacifist sympathies reassurance: pacifists are not wrong to think that violence and war are immoral, irrational, and insane and that there is always an alternative.
This volume asks how Woolf conceptualized peace by exploring various experimental forms she created in response to violence and crisis. Across fifteen chapters written by an international array of scholars, this book draws out theoretical dimensions of Woolf’s aesthetics and deepens our understanding of her writing about war, ethics, feminism and European culture.
"The Oxford Handbook of Peacebuilding, Statebuilding, and Peace Formation offers an authoritative and comprehensive overview of peacebuilding, statebuilding, and peace formation. With contributions from over thirty distinguished and leading scholars, the Handbook provides a timely, engaging, and critical overview of conceptual foundations, political implications, and tensions at the global, regional, and local levels. It examines the key policies, practices, examples, and discourses underlining various segments of peacebuilding, statebuilding, and peace formation both as discursive formulations and as policy practices. Organized around four major thematic sections, the Handbook offers a state-of-the-art synthesis of the most pressing contemporary peace and conflict issues and charts new pathways for responding to transnational insecurities"--
Can war be justified? Pacifists answer that it cannot; they oppose war and advocate for nonviolent alternatives to war. But defenders of just war theory argue that in some circumstances, when the effectiveness of nonviolence is limited, wars can be justified. In this book, two philosophers debate this question, drawing on contemporary scholarship and new developments in thinking about pacifism and just war theory. Andrew Fiala defends the pacifist position, while Jennifer Kling defends just war traditions. Fiala argues that pacifism follows from the awful reality of war and the nonviolent goal of building a more just and peaceful world. Kling argues that war is sometimes justified when it is a last-ditch, necessary effort to defend people and their communities from utter destruction and death. Pulling from global traditions and histories, their debate will captivate anyone who has wondered or worried about the morality of political violence and military force. Topics discussed include ethical questions of self-defense and other-defense, the great analogy between individuals and states, evolving technologies and methods of warfighting, moral injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, broader political and communal issues, and the problem of regional security in a globalizing world. The authors consider cultural and religious issues as well as the fundamental question of moral obligation in a world saturated in military conflict. The book was written in the aftermath of the war on terrorism and includes reflection on lessons learned from the past decades of war, as well as hopes for the future in light of emerging threats in Europe and elsewhere. The book is organized in a user-friendly fashion. Each author presents a self-contained argument, which is followed by a series of responses, replies, and counter-arguments. Throughout, the authors model civil discourse by emphasizing points of agreement and remaining areas of disagreement. The book includes reader-friendly summaries, a glossary of key concepts, and suggestions for further study. All of this will help students and scholars follow the authors’ dialogue so they may develop their own answer to the question of whether war can be justified. Key Features Summarizes the debate between pacifism and just war theory Considers historical and traditional sources as well as contemporary scholarship and applications Models philosophical dialogue and civil discourse, while seeking common ground Discusses issues of concern in contemporary warfighting and peacemaking, while offering an analysis of the war on terrorism
While there has been sustained interest in Gandhi’s methods and continued academic inquiry, Gandhi's Global Legacy: Moral Methods and Modern Challenges is unique in bringing together an interdisciplinary group of scholars who analyze Gandhi’s tactics, moral methods, and philosophical principles, not just in the fields of social and political activism, but in the areas of philosophy, religion, literature, economics, health, international relations, and interpersonal communication. Bringing this wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, the contributors provide fresh perspectives on Gandhi’s thought and practice as well as critical analyses of his work and its contemporary relevance. Edited by Veena R. Howard, this book reveals the need for reconstructing Gandhi’s ideas and moral methods in today’s context through a broad spectrum of crucial issues, including pacifism, health, communal living, gender dynamics, the role of anger, and peacebuilding. Gandhi’s methods have been refined and reimagined to fit different situations, but there remains a need to consider his concept of Sarvodaya (uplift of all), the importance of economic, gender, and racial equity, as well as the value of dialogue and dissenting voices in building a just society. The book points to new directions for the study of Gandhi in the globalized world.
War and conflict continually plague many nations around the world and have led to mass causalities, a shortage of resources, and political turmoil. To eradicate this ongoing issue, individuals, companies, and governments need to establish a fundamental change in the distribution of the world’s assets, resources, and ideals. Marketing Peace for Social Transformation and Global Prosperity is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the development of programs and campaigns destined to impose and sustain ideas that lead to conflict resolution. Through analyzing and proposing various peace marketing campaigns, it showcases how individuals and corporations can employ various tactics to enhance and achieve political, social, and individual peace and promote the sustainability of resources and education. Highlighting topics such as civic engagement, conflict management, and symbolism, this book is ideally designed for policymakers, business leaders, professionals, theorists, researchers, and students.
The Peace Imperative: Transforming the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict A Revolutionary Blueprint for Lasting Peace, Regional Prosperity, and Global Security "The Peace Imperative" shatters paradigms, offering a visionary, comprehensive approach to resolving one of the world's most intractable conflicts. This groundbreaking book presents a meticulously crafted roadmap for transforming the Israeli-Palestinian dispute into a catalyst for unprecedented regional cooperation and global stability. Drawing on cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and the collective wisdom of global experts, "The Peace Imperative" goes far beyond traditional peace proposals. It introduces: • The Multidimensional Conflict Ecosystem (MCE) model: A revolutionary framework leveraging AI, quantum computing, and systems thinking to map complex conflict dynamics and identify novel solutions. • The Middle East Renaissance Plan: A $1 trillion economic revitalization initiative, transforming the region into a global hub of innovation, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. • Radical Honesty and Historical Reckoning: A groundbreaking approach to addressing historical grievances, including virtual reality experiences and a Truth and Accountability Commission. • Cutting-Edge Security Paradigm: Utilizing AI-powered predictive peacekeeping, quantum encryption, and neurotechnology to redefine regional security. • Green Middle East Initiative: Massive environmental cooperation projects as catalysts for peace, including solar grand projects and innovative water solutions. • Education Revolution: Transforming curricula to nurture empathy, critical thinking, and a shared vision for the future, anchored by the pioneering Middle East Peace University. • Collective Trauma Healing: Large-scale initiatives addressing the psychological scars of conflict, integrating advanced therapies and community-based reconciliation programs. • Interfaith Harmony Initiative: Reimagining religious narratives as sources of unity, featuring unprecedented cooperation in holy site management and scriptural reinterpretation. • Media and Narrative Transformation: Harnessing AI, virtual reality, and collaborative storytelling to reshape public discourse and foster mutual understanding. • Innovative Governance Models: Exploring new political structures for coexistence, including AI-assisted policy simulations and blockchain-based voting systems. "The Peace Imperative" is more than a book; it's a movement, a call to action for every individual who believes in the power of peace to transform our world. It challenges readers to reimagine what's possible, offering a bold vision of a future where Israelis and Palestinians not only coexist but thrive together, setting a new standard for conflict resolution worldwide. This comprehensive blueprint demonstrates how resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can catalyze a new era of cooperation across the Middle East and beyond, addressing urgent global challenges from climate change to economic inequality. "The Peace Imperative" is essential reading for policymakers, peace activists, students of international relations, and anyone passionate about creating a more just and harmonious world. Dare to imagine a transformed Middle East. Embrace "The Peace Imperative" and become part of the solution to one of history's most enduring conflicts.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of peace. Gathering contributions from theologians, pastors, and practitioners, Shawn Graves and Marlena Graves cast a vision of Christian nonviolence in today's world, not only responding to the realities of war but also offering a deeper understanding of peace—a holistic shalom.
