Apr 30

Remember to understand a critical lens when looking at violence – the context is important for understanding resistance movements.

 

Generally Canada is considered peaceful, since for generations many Canadians have experienced an absence of war. – when looking in a simplistic way

This is the negative definition – the absence of war. 

In negative peace: There is not a promotion of justice or of peace - states in this scenario are much more likelyy to end up back of conflict

More apt definition: not just absence of war, but presence for conditions for a just and sustainable peace. 

A positive definition of peace

 

Theoretical Viewpoints#

Realist perspective: 

Negative Peace: states exist to protect and advance their own interest. Always in this anarchic state, always dealing with conflict.

Would say positive peace if unrealistic. States come to compete with each other. Resources will always be shared unequally, which always leads to conflict

To be equal, that would lead to giving up some of your power (if you have lots of power)

Liberal viewpoint: 

Negative peace: A desirable and realistic objective, can be achieved with diplomacy, negotiation and IGO assistance. a means to an end, rather than an end in itself

Positive peace: desired final state, seen as realistic and achievable. Both sides make concessions on core interests and seek to reconcile and forgive

 

Rwanda genocide → have enacted truth and reconciliation commission (what our First Nations commission is based on). These survivors are telling the perpetrators their story, and they ask for forgiveness. Now have laws to stop propaganda to another group, to prevent acts of racism against another group. 

 

Constructivism:

Rather than arguing all states are the same in the international system (asserted by realists) constructivists argue that we need to understand how the system has been created to benefit these parties

Argue that sovereignty is not something objective, but hold subjective meaning constructed by actors in the international system

sovereignty only means something if you are a powerful nation state – Greenland, venezuala

 

Approaching peace#

Realist view - not possible, protect better, increase security, anticipate attack. Forge some sort of negative peace - won't do true reconciliation, agree not to have active war or enact things to the other state, but ensure have surveillance and military and nuclear systems

ex. Korea, India Pakistan

 

Liberal view - look at shared goals (PIN?), how to cooperate

ex. EU, middle east (Iran Iraq have cooperation with GCC), turkey now have cooperation GCC GCC countries

 

create a mind map about __ (different forms of violence and examples of each)

Can examine unit by writing about different forms of pacifism - summarize in own notes

do a case study - p. 277 - migrant labor - forms of direct and structural violence

often underpaid, chosen from war or impoverished / desperate countries to accept any conditions. More likely to endure abuse

p. 284 - Galtung's extended concepts on peace

What happens when violence manifests, how to solve. How to prevent