Peace
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” Albert Einstein
Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict and freedom from fear of violence between individuals, groups, or nations.
A peace treaty is an agreement between two or more hostile parties, usually countries or governments, which formally ends a state of war between the parties. It is different from:
- An armistice, which is an agreement to stop hostilities; a surrender, in which an army agrees to give up arms; or a ceasefire or truce, in which the parties may agree to temporarily or permanently stop fighting, while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace.
- A pact, which is a formal agreement. In international relations, pacts are usually between two or more sovereign states. In domestic politics, pacts are usually between two or more political parties or other organizations.
The content of a treaty usually depends on the nature of the conflict being concluded. In the case of large conflicts between numerous parties, there may be one international treaty covering all issues or separate treaties signed between each party.
Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy and peace agreements, it is the practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states or groups. It entails influencing the decisions and conduct of foreign governments and officials through dialogue, negotiation, and other nonviolent means
The ius gentium or jus gentium (Latin for "law of nations") is a concept of international law within the ancient Roman legal system and Western law traditions based on or influenced by it. It is not a body of statute law or a legal code, but rather customary law thought to be held in common by all gentes ("peoples" or "nations") in "reasoned compliance with standards of international conduct".
In classical antiquity, the ius gentium was regarded as an aspect of natural law (Latin: jus naturale), as distinguished from civil law (Latin: ius civile). The Roman jurist Gaius or Caius defined the ius gentium as what natural reason has established among all peoples.
The lex pacificatoria (Latin neologism, which translates as 'pacific law' or the 'law of the peacemakers'); it refers to the law relating to agreements or treaties ending a state of war or establishing a permanent peace between belligerents, as articulated by state and non-state peacemakers, such as peace negotiators. As such, it is a set of normativizing practices, the ‘industry standards’ of peacemakers. In its relationship with traditional legal doctrines such as the jus ad bellum (Latin neologism for "just war theory"), it is both incorporated in, and shapes, interpretations of binding legal instruments, and it can also be determinative of, or influence, court judgments.
Jus post bellum (Latin for "Justice after war") is a concept that deals with the morality of the termination phase of war, including the responsibility to rebuild. The idea has some historical pedigree as a concept in just war theory.
Famous modern examples include the "Treaty of Paris" (1815), signed after Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, and the "Treaty of Versailles" (1919), formally ending the First World War between Germany and the Allies. Despite popular belief, the war did not end completely until the Allies concluded peace with the Ottoman Empire in 1920 at the "Treaty of Sèvres".
Probably the earliest recorded ancient peace treaty, although it is rarely mentioned or remembered, was between the Hittite Empire and the Hayasa-Azzi confederation, around (ca. 1350 BC).
More famous one of the earliest recorded peace treaties was concluded between the Hittite and the Egyptian Empires after the (ca.1274 BC) "Battle of Kadesh" (known as the “Kadesh Peace Treaty”; “Eternal Treaty”; or “Silver Treaty”), and is the only ancient Near Eastern treaty for which both sides' versions have survived. A copy of this treaty is prominently displayed on a wall in the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Because all of life is interconnected, our fear, hatred and anger decreases the peace in the world, whereas our love, joy and gratitude increases the peace. Why is peace important? Without it, the destructive tendencies of our species will continue to inch us closer to catastrophe.
Since classical times, it has been noted that peace has sometimes been achieved by the victor over the vanquished by the imposition of ruthless measures.
Discussion of peace is therefore at the same time a discussion on the form of such peace. Is it simple absence of mass organized killing (war) or does peace require a particular morality and justice? (just peace). A peace must be seen at least in two forms:
- A simple silence of arms, absence of war
- Absence of war accompanied by particular requirements for the mutual settlement of relations, which are characterized by terms such as justice, mutual respect, respect for law and goodwill
"Psychological peace" (such as a peaceful thinking and emotions) is perhaps less well defined yet often a necessary precursor to establishing "behavioral peace." Peaceful behavior always results from a "peaceful inner-disposition." Some have expressed the belief that peace can be initiated with a certain quality of inner-tranquility that does not depend upon the uncertainties of daily life for its existence. The acquisition of such a "peaceful internal disposition" for oneself and others has constantly been a contributor towards resolving seemingly irreconcilable competing interests...
“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” Mahatma Gandhi
Food for thought!