Why would they not like peace?

Sometimes I think about the people who are actually afraid of peace. Really some individuals and groups are afraid of laughter, dance, festivity, pleasure of food, pleasure of any kind and even afraid of friendships . I call this "Fear of peace". They are afraid of meeting and greeting people of different religion, race, ethnicity, and gender. This fear can stem from various sources, and different individuals or groups may have distinct reasons for developing such apprehensions.

People in power are more feared than others. Mostly those in positions of power or authority may fear peace because it could lead to a redistribution or loss of their power and influence. Peaceful resolutions to conflicts might undermine existing power structures or challenge the status quo, causing anxiety among those who benefit from the current state of affairs. Although power can be of one kind or the other, but in today's world it is more associated with economic benefit. Peace could disrupt economic interests that thrive during times of conflict or instability. Industries such as arms manufacturing, private security, and war-related businesses may stand to lose profits in a peaceful environment. Consequently, individuals or entities vested in these industries may resist efforts toward peace to protect their financial interests.

Considering Pakistan I think some individuals or groups may oppose peace due to deeply ingrained ideological beliefs. These beliefs might perpetuate divisions, animosities, or narratives of superiority over others, making peace seem undesirable or even threatening to their identity or worldview. Emperors, invaders, kings, rulers and dictators used the ideological divide to retain their power in this region. Yet the people in power still are using the same tools and techniques for refraining from peace and retaining conflict that suits them.

But what about common people. Don't they like peace? I think they do but living in conflict and differences for long, now a peace between and among groups seems to be a big change. Change, even positive change, can evoke fear and uncertainty in people. Peace may entail significant psychosocial transformations that challenge familiar routines, relationships, or norms. Individuals who fear change or feel comfortable in familiar, albeit conflict-ridden, circumstances may resist efforts to achieve peace. In some cases, people may associate peace with vulnerability or insecurity. They might fear that peace could expose them to new threats or risks, whether real or perceived. This fear may be particularly prevalent in regions with a history of conflict, where distrust and insecurity have become deeply entrenched. At many instances I observe it is a matter of trust deficit. Trust deficits between conflicting parties can impede progress toward peace. Individuals or groups may fear peace because they do not trust the intentions or commitments of their adversaries. Past betrayals, unresolved grievances, or deep-seated animosities can perpetuate mistrust and hinder efforts to build lasting peace.

I believe fear of peace is a complex phenomenon influenced by a combination of factors such as power dynamics, economic interests, cultural beliefs, fear of change, security concerns, and trust deficits, yet I believe in this century it is not impossible to remove the fears. Addressing these underlying concerns and building a common narrative of peace is much easier than fighting and creating conflicts. If we succeed in building consensus around the benefits of peace that will be the first step toward overcoming resistance and advancing peacebuilding efforts.