pacifism

Concepts of pacifism, including absolute, relative/selective and nuclear pacifism, the role of pacifist movements and pressure groups

absolute/ philosophical pacism

• deontological/ absolutist view of pacifism: violence is always intrinsically wrong

• assumes that people have real moral duties and must always seek to preserve life

• opposition to warfare is thus a consequence

• this argument can be supported through a sanctity of life argument

• if killing is intrinsically wrong on an individual level (i.e. murder), then it must also be on a national or societal level (i.e. war)

• whole point of an absolutist principle is that there are no exceptions, so to say that war is an acceptable form of killing entails a contradiction

relative pacifism

• peaceful solutions should always be the first choice, but w/o having an absolute objection to war

• wars might sometimes (v rarely) be allowed

• nationally orchestrated violence is always an evil, even if it is the lesser of two evils

pragmatic pacifism

• peaceful approaches to conflict should be taken because they work better

• pragmatic pacifists can point to the success of non-violent protest campaigns in bringing about political change (e.g. MLK’s peaceful march on washington)

nuclear pacifism

argued that the use of nuclear weapons can never be justified, through other sorts of violence

christian pacifism

• many modern christians believe that violence of any kind is wrong, especially in an age where nuclear or biochemical weapons might be used

• e.g. Quajers and christian supporters of the campaign for nuclear disarmament support

pacifist pressure group - pax christi

• educates for peace- supports teachers, chaplains and youth workers in promoting a culture of peace in schools and amongst young people

• promotes solidarity between people working non-violently for justice

• pro CND + want to abolish nuclear weapons

practicality of pacifism as a national policy

• Pacifism as national policy for a nation is almost unheard of, as it will only work if no-one wants to attack your country, or the nation with whom you are in dispute is also committed to pacifism. In any other circumstances adopting a pacifist stance will result in your country rapidly being conquered.

• However, the idea of pacifism, and of seeking non-violent solutions to disputes between nations, plays a significant part in international politics, particularly through the work of the United Nations.

practicality of nuclear pacifism

• Nuclear pacifism just seems difficult to initiate because nuclear weapons exist and countries are in a state of mutually assured destruction because of them.

• Denuclearisation leaves a country vulnerable so they wouldn’t be willing to do that.