Peace and conflict studies is a social science field that identifies and analyses violent and nonviolent behaviours as well as the structural mechanisms attending conflicts (including social conflicts) with a view towards understanding those processes which lead to a more desirable human condition. A variation on this, peace studies (irenology), is an interdisciplinary effort aiming at the prevention, de-escalation, and solution of conflicts by peaceful means, thereby seeking 'victory' for all parties involved in the conflict. This is in contrast to war studies (polemology) which has as its aim on the efficient attainment of victory in conflicts, primarily by violent means to the satisfaction of one or more, but not all, parties involved. Disciplines involved may include political science, geography, economics, psychology, sociology, international relations, history, anthropology, religious studies, and gender studies, as well as a variety of others.
Read more about Peace And Conflict Studies: Historical Background, Description, Normative Aims, Teaching Peace and Conflict Studies To The Military, From Conflict Resolution Via Liberal Peace- and Statebuilding To Trans-rational Peace and Elicitive , Criticism and Controversy
Famous quotes containing the words peace and, peace, conflict and/or studies:
“He looked as if he wished to rive new war material out of the wombs of the mothers.”
—Anonymous. Quoted in Ellen Key, War, Peace and the Future, ch. 9 (1916)
“It is well for his peace that the saint goes to his martyrdom. He is spared the sight of the horror of his harvest.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)
“Affection, indulgence, and humor alike are powerless against the instinct of children to rebel. It is essential to their minds and their wills as exercise is to their bodies. If they have no reasons, they will invent them, like nations bound on war. It is hard to imagine families limp enough always to be at peace. Wherever there is character there will be conflict. The best that children and parents can hope for is that the wounds of their conflict may not be too deep or too lasting.”
—New York State Division of Youth Newsletter (20th century)
“The best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage. That is a commonplace truth, but one to which my studies are always bringing me back. It is the central point in my conception. I see it at the end of all my reflections.”
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)