Description

Providing a wide-ranging panorama of the ideas, theories, and assumptions on which the study of peace is based, Peace by Peaceful Means gives a theoretical foundation for peace research, peace education, and peace action. This incisive volume is organized into four parts, each of which studies one of the four major theoretical approaches to peace. Peace Theory explores the epistemological assumptions of peace studies as well as the nature of violence. Conflict Theory examines the nonviolent and creative handling of conflict, emphasizing the importance of the culture of conflict. Development Theory looks at structural violence, particularly in the economic field, together with a consideration of the ways of overcoming that violence. Civilization Theory is an exploration of cultural violence focusing on cosmologies, codes, and programs. Finally, in the conclusion the threads of these approaches are drawn together with a focus on peace action: peace by peaceful means. Peace by Peaceful Means is a comprehensive examination of peace that will serve as an invaluable resource to professionals and academics in the fields of peace studies, international affairs, comparative politics, and political science.