World peace

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the television series, see Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace. For the basketball player, see Metta World Peace. For the sculpture in Helsinki, Finland, see World peace (sculpture).

A nuclear disarmament symbol, commonly called the "peace symbol"

World peace is the concept of an ideal state of peace within and among all people and nations on Planet Earth. Different cultures, religions, philosophies, and organizations have varying concepts on how such a state would come about.

Various religious and secular organizations have the stated aim of achieving world peace through addressing human rights, technology, education, engineering, medicine, or diplomacy used as an end to all forms of fighting. Since 1945, the United Nations and the five permanent members of its Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have operated under the aim to resolve conflicts without war. Nonetheless, nations have entered numerous military conflicts since then.

Theories

Main article: Peace and conflict studies

Many theories as to how world peace could be achieved have been proposed. Several of these are listed below.

A 1984 USSR stamp illustrating the Earth behind a palm frond. The title reads: "Мир Народам Земли!" ("Peace to all the Peoples of the World!").

Capitalism peace theory

Main article: Capitalist peace

Capitalist, or commercial peace, forms one of the three planks of Kantian peace, together with democratic peace theory and institutionalist arguments for peace. Although the evidence is inconclusive, various scholars have argued for capitalist peace.[1] For instance, in her essay "The Roots of War", Ayn Rand held that the major wars of history were started by the more controlled economies of the time against the freer ones and that capitalism gave mankind the longest period of peace in history—a period during which there were no wars involving the entire civilized world—from the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815 to the outbreak of World War I in 1914, with the exceptions of the Franco-Prussian War (1870), the Spanish–American War (1898), and the American Civil War (1861–1865).[citation needed]

Cobdenism

Proponents of

self-sufficient, which is a requirement for long wars.[citation needed
]

However, free trade does not prevent a nation from establishing some sort of emergency plan to become temporarily self-sufficient in case of war or that a nation could simply acquire what it needs from a different nation. A good example of this is World War I, during which both Britain and Germany became partially self-sufficient. This is particularly important because Germany had no plan for creating a war economy.[citation needed]

Democratic peace theory

Proponents of democratic peace theory, developed mainly in the 1960s but relying in part on eighteenth century Kantian theory, and frequently espoused by Western politicians, claim that strong empirical evidence exists that democracies never or rarely wage war against each other.[2][3][4][5] However, several wars between democracies have taken place, historically, such as the Kargil War. Relevant issues of debate include whether sufficient data is available to statistically prove the theory and whether peace results in democracy (territorial peace theory) or vice versa.[citation needed]

Economic norms theory

Michael Mousseau's economic norms theory links economic conditions with institutions of governance and conflict, distinguishing personal clientelist economies from impersonal market-oriented ones, identifying the latter with permanent peace within and between nations.[6][7]

Throughout most of human history, societies have been based on personal relations: individuals in groups know each other and exchange favours. Today in most lower-income societies hierarchies of groups distribute wealth based on personal relationships among group leaders, a process often linked with clientelism and corruption. Michael Mousseau argues that in this kind of socio-economy conflict is always present, latent or overt, because individuals depend on their groups for physical and economic security and are thus loyal to their groups rather than their states, and because groups are in a constant state of conflict over access to state coffers. Through processes of bounded rationality, people are conditioned towards strong in-group identities and are easily swayed to fear outsiders, psychological predispositions that make possible sectarian violence, genocide, and terrorism.[8]

Market-oriented socio-economics are integrated not with personal ties but the impersonal force of the market where most individuals are economically dependent on trusting strangers in contracts enforced by the state. This creates loyalty to a state that enforces the rule of law and contracts impartially and reliably and provides equal protection in the freedom to contract – that is, liberal democracy. Wars cannot happen within or between nations with market-integrated economies because war requires the harming of others, and in these kinds of economies, everyone is always economically better off when others in the market are also better off, not worse off. Rather than fight, citizens in market-oriented socio-economies care deeply about everyone's rights and welfare, so they demand economic growth at home and economic cooperation and human rights abroad. Nations with market-oriented socio-economies tend to agree on global issues[8] and not a single fatality has occurred in any dispute between them.[6]

Economic norms theory should not be confused with classical liberal theory. The latter assumes that markets are natural and that freer markets promote wealth.[9] In contrast, Economic norms theory shows how market-contracting is a learned norm, and state spending, regulation, and redistribution are necessary to ensure that almost everyone can participate in the "social market" economy, which is in everyone's interests.[citation needed]

Marxism: World peace via world revolution

According to the

dialectical materialist theory of Karl Marx, humanity under capitalism is divided into just two classes: the proletariat—who do not possess the means of production, and the bourgeoisie—who do possess the means of production. Once the communist revolution occurs and consequently abolishes the private propriety of the means of production, humanity will not be divided and the tension created between these two classes will cease.[10]

Mutual assured destruction

nuclear weapons by two opposing sides would effectively result in the destruction of both belligerents.[11][12] Proponents of the policy of MAD, which as a term was coined in 1962 during the Cold War, attributed this to the increase in the lethality of war to the point where it no longer offers the possibility of a net gain for either side (a form of Nash equilibrium), thereby making wars pointless.[citation needed
]

Peace through strength

The term is traced back to the Roman Emperor Hadrian (reigned CE 117 – 138), but the concept is older. In the Indian epic Ramayana (7th to 4th centuries BCE) Lord Rama is quoted as saying "Bhay Bin Hoye na Preet", meaning once prayers for peace fail, one may need to instill fear to bring peace. In 1943, at the peak of World War II, the founder of the Paneuropean Union, Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, argued that after the war the United States (U.S.) was bound to take "command of the skies" to ensure the lasting world peace:

But the inauguration of such a glorious century of peace demands from us abandonment of old conceptions of peace. The new Angel of Peace must no longer be pictured as a charming but helpless lady with an olive branch in her hand, but like the Goddess of Justice with a balance in her left and a sword in her right; or like the Archangel Michael, with a fiery sword and wings of steel, fighting the devil to restore and protect the peace of heaven.[13]

In fact, near the entrance to the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base stands a large sign with a SAC emblem and its motto: "Peace is our profession."[14] The motto "was a staggering paradox that was also completely accurate".[15] One SAC Bomber—Convair B-36—is called Peacemaker and one inter-continental missile-LGM-118-Peacekeeper.

In 2016, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter envisaged that the re-balance to the Asia-Pacific will make the region "peaceful" through "strength":

You, and your fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines will solidify the rebalance, you will make this network work, and you will help the Asia-Pacific... realize a principled and peaceful and prosperous future. And play the role only America can play... You'll do so with strength.[16]

Introduction to US National Security and Defense Strategies of 2018 states: The US force posture combined with the allies will "preserve peace through strength". The document proceeds to detail what "achieving peace through strength requires".[17]

Territorial peace theory

Proponents of the territorial peace theory claim that countries with stable borders are likely to develop democracy, while wars and territorial threats foster authoritarian attitudes and a disregard for democracy.[18] Increasing attention has been paid to the theory since the early 2000s, and it has increasingly informed democratic peace theory and been espoused in the cause of peacebuilding and international relations. Proponents of democratic peace theory counter argue that stable borders resulting from dispute arbitration or negotiation rather than force via autocracy are more likely to be obtained by democratic states. Efforts are underway to synthesize the two theories.[19]

Efforts

United Nations Charter and international law

United Nations Charter to "save successive generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind" (Preamble). The Preamble to the United Nations Charter also aims to further the adoption of fundamental human rights, to respect obligations to sources of international law as well as to unite the strength of independent countries to maintain international peace and security. All treaties on international human rights law refer to or consider "the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and "peace in the world".[citation needed
]

International Day of Peace

The United Nations International Day of Peace, sometimes called World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, and can be celebrated by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day as a day of preventing violence and a cease-fire. The celebration of this day is recognized by many nations and people. In 2013, for the first time, the day has been dedicated to peace education, i.e. by the key preventive means to reduce war sustainably.[20]

Constitution for the Federation of Earth

Considering the UN's design as a forum and its lack of direct power or authority over nations, it has received a fair amount of criticism and since its foundation, prominent world figures have expressed their concerns and called for the establishment of a democratic

Constitution for the Federation of Earth (also known as "Earth Constitution"). It was further amended in the 3rd Constituent Assembly, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1978-79[27] and the 4th World Constituent Assembly, Troia, Portugal, in 1991.[28]

This Earth Constitution outlines a detailed plan for a world

federalist government and awaits ratification by the people and nations of the world. The Earth Constitution includes the protection of universal human rights, prevention of war, secure disarmament, social development, protection of the environment, and addresses many more global challenges.[28]

A

Constitution for the Federation of Earth.[29] It convenes to work on global issues, gathering delegates from different countries.[30]

Religious views

Many religions and religious leaders have expressed a desire for an end to violence.

Baháʼí Faith

Main article: Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity

The central aim of the

Bahá'u'lláh
, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, stated in no uncertain terms, "the fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race ...". In his writings, Bahá'u'lláh described two distinct stages of world peace – a lesser peace and a sense of most great peace.

The lesser peace is essentially a collective security agreement between the nations of the world. In this arrangement, nations agree to protect one another by rising up against an aggressor nation, should it seek the usurpation of territory or the destruction of its neighbors. The lesser peace is limited in scope and is concerned with the establishment of basic order and the universal recognition of national borders and the sovereignty of nations. Baháʼís believe that the lesser peace is taking place largely through the operation of the Divine Will and that Baháʼí influence on the process is relatively minor.

The greatest peace is the eventual end goal of the lesser peace and is envisioned as a time of spiritual and social unity – a time when the peoples of the world genuinely identify with and care for one another, rather than simply tolerating one other's existence. The Baháʼís view this process as taking place largely as a result of the spread of Baháʼí teachings, principles, and practices throughout the world. The larger world peace process and its foundational elements are addressed in the document The Promise of World Peace, written by the Universal House of Justice.[31]

Buddha in the Darjeeling Peace Pagoda, India. This pagoda was designed by Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii
to unite people of all beliefs in their search for world peace.

Buddhism

Main article: Buddhism

Many

Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), ahimsa (avoidance of violence
) is a central concept.

Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is a law eternal.

— 
Siddhārtha Gautama, The Dhammapada: Pairs Verse 5[32]

Nipponzan Myohoji. They exist around the world in cities such as London, Vienna, New Delhi, Tokyo, and Lumbini.

Mount Ecclesia's long-standing suggestion for World Peace Meditation,[33] along with annual purposeful devotional dates,[34] as faithfully performed by its fraternal organization whose founder taught, in the 1910s, that "Peace is a matter of education, and impossible of achievement until we have learned to deal charitably, justly, and openly with one another, as nations as well as individuals"[35]

Christianity

Main article: Christian pacifism

The basic Christian ideal specifies that peace can only come by the Word and love of God, which is perfectly demonstrated in the life of Christ:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

— John 14:27

As

christologically interpreted from Isaiah 2, whereupon the "Word of the Lord" is established on the earth, the material human-political result will be 'nation not taking up sword against nation; nor will they train for war anymore'. Christian world peace necessitates the living of a proactive life replete with all good works indirect light of the Word of God. The details of such a life can be observed in the Gospels, especially the historically renowned Sermon on the Mount, where forgiving
those who do wrong things against oneself is advocated among other pious precepts.

However, not all Christians expect a lasting world peace on this earth:

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.

— Matt 10:34–36

Many Christians believe that world peace is expected to be manifest upon the "new earth" that is promised in Christian scripture such as Revelation 21.

The

Marian apparitions, promises a temporary world peace as a result of this process being fulfilled, though before the coming of the Antichrist. This period of temporary peace is called the triumph of the Immaculate Heart
.

Pacifist religious groups that are related to Christianity include Quakers, the Amish, and Mennonites.[36] These groups are known for advocating religious nonviolence, and their adherents are often conscientious objectors.[37]

Hinduism

Main article: Hinduism

Traditionally,

Dharmic Religions, (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), ahimsa
(avoidance of violence) is a central concept.

Islam

Main article:
Islamic Peace

According to Islamic eschatology, the whole world will be united under the leadership of imam Mahdi. At that time love, justice and peace will be so abundant that the world will be in the likeness of paradise.

Judaism

Main article: Judaism

Judaism is not a pacifist religion.

Messiah. If the time is right for the Messianic Age within that person's lifetime, then that person will be the Mashiach. But if that person dies before he completes the mission of the Messiah, then that person is not the Messiah (Mashiach).[40]

Specifically, in

Jewish messianism it is considered that at some future time a Messiah (literally "an anointed King appointed by God") will rise up to bring all Jews back to the Land of Israel, and to establish God's Torah, followed by everlasting global peace and prosperity.[41] This idea originates from passages in the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud
.

For Torah will go forth from Zion and the Word of HaShem from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations and decide disputes for many peoples, and they will beat their

swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift the sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.

— Isaiah 2:3–4

Jainism

Main article: Jainism
The Ranakpur Jain Temple, located in Ranakpur, India

Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), ahimsa
(avoidance of violence) is a central concept.

Sikhism

Main article: Sikhism

The Sikh religion preaches that peace comes from God. However, pacifism is not absolute in Sikh religion, and Sikhs have taken military action against oppression.[44]

Sikh people believe that

Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), ahimsa
(avoidance of violence) is a central concept.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-19-998175-5. Archived
    from the original on 21 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Ray", International relations, USA: M Tholyoke, archived from the original on 17 February 2008.
  3. ^ Smith, "Democracy & peace", Politics (PDF), USA: New York University.
  4. ^ Müller, Harald and Jonas Wolff (September 2004). "Dyadic Democratic Peace Strikes Back". 5th Pan-European International Relations ConferenceThe Hague. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. ^ Owen, John M IV (1 November 2005), "Fareview essay", ForeignAffairs.org, Iraq and the democratic peace, archived from the original on 21 December 2005.
  6. ^ a b Mousseau, Michael (Spring 2009), "The Social Market Roots of Democratic Peace", International Security, vol. 33, pp. 52–86.
  7. ^ ———————— (Winter 2002–2003), "Market Civilization and its Clash with Terror", International Security, vol. 27, pp. 5–29.
  8. ^
    doi:10.1046/j.0020-8833.2003.00276.x
    .
  9. ^ Friedman, Milton. 1970. Capitalism and Freedom. Chicago: University of Chicago.
  10. ^ Trotsky, Leon (1914), War and the International, Marxists.
  11. ^ "Mutual Assured Destruction", Strategy, Nuclear files.
  12. ^ Parrington, Col. Alan J (Winter 1997), "Mutually Assured Destruction Revisited, Strategic Doctrine in Question", Airpower Journal, USA: Air Force, archived from the original on 20 June 2015.
  13. ^ Crusade for Pan-Europe, (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1943), p 299, 305.
  14. ^ Cited in Thomas S. Power, Design for Survival, (New York: Coward McCann, 1964), p 139.
  15. ^ Phillip S. Meilinger, Bomber: The Formation and Early History of Strategic Air Command, (Alabama: Air University Press, 2012), p XVIII.
  16. ^ ""The Future of the Rebalance: Enabling Security in the Vital & Dynamic Asia-Pacific", Secretary of Defense Speech, September 29, 2016, Washington: Department of Defense".
  17. ^ "Summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy of the United States of America" (PDF). Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  18. ISBN 978-0-19-022863-7
    .
  19. S2CID 156163897
    .
  20. ^ "International Day of Peace, 21 September". www.un.org. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  21. ^ "To the General Assembly of the United Nations by Albert Einstein". Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  22. ^ Russell, Bertrand (1936). Which Way to Peace? (Part 12). M. Joseph Ltd. p. 173.
  23. ^
    ISBN 978-1-933567-16-7
    .
  24. ^ "Letters from Thane Read asking Helen Keller to sign the World Constitution for world peace. 1961". Helen Keller Archive. American Foundation for the Blind. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via afb.org.
  25. ^ "Letter from World Constitution Coordinating Committee to Helen, enclosing current materials". Helen Keller Archive. American Foundation for the Blind. Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via afb.org.
  26. ^ "Als Interlaken die heimliche Welthauptstadt war". Berner Zeitung (in German). 29 August 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  27. ^ PANDIT, M. P. (1979). WORLD UNION (JANUARY-DECEMBER) 1979. WORLD UNION INTERNATIONAL, INDIA. p. 107.
  28. ^ a b "Global Strategies & Solutions: Preparing earth constitution". The Encyclopedia of World Problems. Union of International Associations. Retrieved 15 July 2023 – via uia.org.
  29. ^ "Provisional World Parliament". The Encyclopedia of World Problems. Union of International Associations. Retrieved 18 July 2023 – via uia.org.
  30. ISSN 0971-8257
    . Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  31. ISBN 978-1-85168-184-6
    .
  32. ^ Buddharakkhita, Acharya. "The Dhammapada: The Buddha's Path of Wisdom". accesstoinsight.org. Access to Insight Organisation. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  33. ^ Suggestion For World Peace Meditation Archived 24 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Mount Ecclesia, CA, USA
  34. ^ World Peace Meditation: 2017 Devotional Services Dates and Times Archived 6 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Mount Ecclesia, CA, USA. Updt: 2023 dates
  35. ^ Heindel, Max. Letters to Students: LETTER NO. 92, July 1918. TRF, CA, USA (various editions/publishers)
  36. ^ "Ukraine offers a middle path between just war and pacifism". Religion News Service. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  37. ^ "The military is the reason behind the 'Amish Beard'". We Are The Mighty. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  38. ^ "Dharmic Wisdom Quotes – Page 3".
  39. ^ "What does pacifism mean in Judaism? - War and peace - GCSE Religious Studies Revision". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  40. ^ "Judaism 101: Mashiach: The Messiah".
  41. ^ Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot Melachim, ch. 11–12
  42. ^ Titze, Kurt, Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence, Motilal Banarsidass, 1998
  43. ^ Useful instructions, In Matter religious, moral and others by Motilal M. Munishi, 1904
  44. ^ "BBC - Religions - Sikhism: War". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  45. ISBN 978-0-17-437067-3
    .

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to World peace.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=World_peace&oldid=1219775872"