Key Terms

Peace

A spectrum from the simple absence of direct violence (Negative _____) to the absence of structural and cultural violence, with justice and harmony (Positive_____).

Conflict

A state of dynamic opposition over positions, interests, or values; defined by Johan Galtung as "actors in pursuit of incompatible goals."

Violence

Actions or structures that cause harm or prevent people from reaching their full potential, categorized into three types: Direct (physical/psychological harm), Structural (harm from unjust systems), and Cultural (aspects of culture that legitimize the other two forms).

Peacekeeping (PK)

The first step in post-conflict transformation, involving placing a barrier (often neutral UN soldiers) between warring parties to stop direct violence and establish Negative Peace.

Peacemaking (PM)

The process of forging a settlement or treaty between disputing parties, often with a third-party mediator, to address the core political issues of a conflict.

Peacebuilding (PB)

The long-term process of creating Positive Peace by establishing self-supporting structures (e.g., through justice, reconciliation, development) that resolve a conflict's root causes.

Genocide

The systematic extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, in whole or in part; defined by Stanton's model as the 7th stage in a predictable process of mass atrocity.

Ethnic Cleansing

A purposeful policy to remove the civilian population of a specific ethnic or religious group from a geographic area through violent and terror-inspiring means.

Dehumanization

Stanton's 3rd stage of genocide, where one group denies the humanity of another, often using animalistic language (e.g., "cockroaches," "vermin") to justify violence.

Inter-state conflict

A conflict between two or more different governments/states.

Intra-state conflict

A conflict between a government and an internal opposition group (civil war).

Non-state conflict

A conflict between two or more internal armed groups, where the government is not a primary party.

Internationalized conflict

An intra-state conflict that is supported by international intervention (e.g., by another state).

Civil disobedience

A key tactic of nonviolence, defined as the deliberate and public refusal to obey an unjust law as a form of protest.

PIN Model

A conflict resolution tool (Positions-Interests-Needs) used by mediators to move beyond a party's stated wants (Positions) to their underlying motivations (Interests) and fundamental requirements (Needs).

Humanitarian Intervention

Military action in a state, without its consent, to prevent or stop mass human rights violations like genocide; linked to the "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P) doctrine.

Greed versus Grievance

A theory on the causes of civil war, debating whether conflicts are driven by opportunistic economic interests (Greed) or by legitimate issues like inequality and discrimination (Grievance).

Justice

The concept of fairness, where individuals get what they deserve; in post-conflict contexts, it branches into different approaches for dealing with past harms.

Truth and reconciliation commission (TRC)

A non-judicial body that determines the facts of past human rights violations by focusing on victim testimony. It aims to repair harm by acknowledging suffering and recommending reforms.

Tribunal

A judicial body for prosecuting crimes. In global politics, this includes the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals for the most serious international crimes.

Retributive Justice

A theory of justice based on punishment, holding that offenders must suffer in return for their crimes. It is the basis for most criminal trials.

Restorative Justice

An approach to justice focused on repairing the harm caused by crime by bringing together victims, offenders, and the community to address their needs and promote healing.

Just War Theory

An ethical framework governing warfare, divided into two parts: Jus ad bellum (criteria for justly going to war) and Jus in bello (rules for just conduct during war).