Intro to peace and justice notes

1. Non-attachment

a. Not being tied to wealth, power, or personal gain.

b. It keeps focus on truth and justice.

c. (1) Lived simply in ashrams. (2) Wore hand-spun clothes and gave up luxury.

2. Non-duality

a. Seeing all people as one, not “us vs. them.”

b. He respected British citizens/workers as equals, but opposed colonial rulers’ unjust policies without hating them.

3. Non-cooperation

a. Refusing to support unjust systems peacefully.

b. (1) Salt March. (2) Boycotts of British goods.

c. Yes—example: climate activists refusing to invest in fossil fuels.

Positive Peace

A1. Gandhi’s peace meant justice, equality, unity, and nonviolence. Yes, it fits “positive peace” because it addressed root causes of conflict.

A2. He saw greed, exploitation, and hatred as causes of war. Removing these supports positive peace.

Negative Peace

B. Negative peace = no fighting but injustice remains. British rule in India was negative peace because it lacked freedom and fairness.

1. Galtung’s View of Violence

He expanded the meaning of violence beyond just war and fighting.

• Direct Violence → Physical harm (e.g., war, murder, abuse).
  
  

• Structural Violence → Built into systems. Happens when people’s basic needs (food, healthcare, education, equality) aren’t met because of inequality or unfair systems.
  
  

  • Example: Poverty or racism that prevents people from having equal opportunities.
    
    

• Cultural Violence → Ideas, religion, traditions, or symbols that justify violence.
  
  

  • Example: Saying “it’s natural” for one group to dominate another, or using religion to excuse inequality.
    
    

👉 Key Idea: Structural and cultural violence can exist even when there is no open war.

2. Positive Peace vs. Negative Peace

• Negative Peace → Just the absence of war. There may still be oppression, inequality, or injustice.
  
  

  • Example: British colonial rule in India—no war at times, but still exploitation.
    
    

• Positive Peace → Not only no war, but also the presence of justice, fairness, human rights, and opportunities for all.
  
  

  • Example: Societies where healthcare, education, equality, and democracy exist for everyone.
    
    

👉 Key Idea: Positive peace is deeper—it’s about building systems that support dignity and equality.

3. Conflict Transformation (The Transcend Method)

Galtung compared conflicts to health problems: don’t just stop the pain (war), but cure the disease (root causes).

• Diagnosis → What is really causing the conflict? (poverty, inequality, discrimination?)
  
  

• Prognosis → What will happen if nothing changes?
  
  

• Therapy → Solutions that meet the needs of all sides, not just a “winner” and a “loser.”
  
  

👉 Key Idea: Lasting peace requires addressing root causes, not just signing treaties.

4. Culture of Peace

• Galtung believed peace has to be supported by culture, education, and values.
  
  

• A “culture of peace” = respect, reconciliation, dialogue, equality, and human rights are normal and celebrated.
  
  

• Obstacle: “Cultural violence” makes harmful systems look acceptable.
  
  

👉 Key Idea: To make peace real, we must change culture and mindset, not just politics.

5. Peacebuilding

• Galtung said peace is not just about keeping enemies apart (peacekeeping), but about building structures that make peace possible.
  
  

  • Example: Fair education systems, fair courts, equal opportunities.
    
    

• This prevents violence from returning later.
  
  

👉 Key Idea: Peace must be built into society’s systems, not just managed temporarily.

6. Why This Matters

• His ideas explain why wars often return after ceasefires: root causes (structural and cultural violence) weren’t fixed.
  
  

• Positive peace gives us a roadmap for lasting justice and equality.
  
  

• Many modern peace studies, the UN, and human rights groups build on Galtung’s framework.
  
  

📝 Quick Review Questions (to test yourself)

1. What’s the difference between negative peace and positive peace?
   
   

2. Give an example of structural violence in today’s world.
   
   

3. Why does Galtung compare conflict resolution to medicine?
   
   

4. How does cultural violence make harmful systems seem acceptable?
   
   

5. Why is peacebuilding more effective than just peacekeeping?

. Core Concepts (Peace Studies)

• Negative peace = absence of war/violence, but injustice may still exist.
  
  

• Positive peace = presence of justice, equality, human rights, and fair systems.
  
  

• Structural violence = poverty, racism, or inequality built into society.
  
  

• Nonviolence = resisting injustice without hate or physical violence.
  
  

2. Gandhi and India’s Independence

• Gandhi used non-cooperation: boycotts of British goods, schools, and courts.
  
  

• He showed non-attachment by living simply and giving up wealth.
  
  

• He practiced positive peace by trying to unite Hindus and Muslims, not just end British rule.
  
  

• Example: Salt March (1930) challenged unfair British salt laws peacefully.
  
  

3. Women of Liberia’s Peace Campaign (2003)

• Led by Leymah Gbowee, women united across religions to demand an end to civil war.
  
  

• They used nonviolent protest: sit-ins, marches, even refusing sex to pressure leaders.
  
  

• Their efforts helped bring about peace talks and the resignation of President Charles Taylor.
  
  

• This showed positive peace: they didn’t just stop fighting; they worked for justice, democracy, and women’s voices in government.
  
  

4. Applying to My Life

• I can practice nonviolence by solving conflicts with dialogue, not anger.
  
  

• I can work toward positive peace by standing against bullying, racism, or unfair treatment in my community.
  
  

• Like Gandhi and the Liberian women, change starts with ordinary people taking action for justice.
  
  

✅ Sample Paragraph Response

“In peace studies we learn the difference between negative and positive peace. Negative peace is simply the absence of violence, while positive peace means justice and equality are present. Gandhi’s movement for Indian independence used nonviolent methods like the Salt March and boycotts, aiming not only to end colonial rule but also to unite different communities. Similarly, the women of Liberia used nonviolent protest to push for peace during the civil war, showing the power of ordinary people to demand justice. In my own life, I can apply these lessons by handling conflicts peacefully and speaking up against unfairness, which contributes to positive peace in everyday situations.”

1. How did the campaign get started?
   
   Women came together across Christian and Muslim groups, frustrated with the war.
   
   

2. Who led the campaign?
   
   Leymah Gbowee.
   
   

3. Who participated?
   
   Ordinary women—mothers, market women, teachers.
   
   

4. What did people do (tactics)?
   
   Sat in protest, wore white, marched, and staged a sex strike.
   
   

5. How did leaders react?
   
   Taylor and rebels first ignored them, then eventually gave in to talks.
   
   

6. How did the campaign change?
   
   The women grew bolder—blocking peace delegates from leaving until progress was made. sang songs to protest and more, organized community gatherings to raise awareness, and engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience to draw attention to their demands for peace.
   
   

7. International community role?
   
   Gave recognition and support once the movement gained momentum.
   
   

8. Other details?
   
   Their pressure helped open the way for democratic elections.
   
   

Positive Peace Reflection

Liberia ended in peaceful elections because women united across differences and kept leaders at the table. Gandhi’s India, while achieving independence, saw Hindu-Muslim divisions that erupted into violence.

Structural Violence

A. Concept:

Structural violence happens when social systems or institutions block people from meeting their basic needs. It’s not direct harm, but unfair conditions built into society.

B. Example:

In my town, schools in poorer neighborhoods don’t get the same funding or resources as wealthier ones.

C. Impacts:

1. Survival: Students may lack access to good food programs or healthcare at school.
   
   

2. Well-being: They get lower-quality education and fewer chances to succeed.
   
   

3. Freedom: Limited options for college or good jobs.
   
   

4. Identity/Meaning: Kids may feel left behind or less valued.
   
   

D. Addressed by:

Community programs, scholarships, and advocacy for better funding. Some progress has been made, but the gap still exists, so it hasn’t fully ended.

Cultural Violence

A. Concept:

Cultural violence is when beliefs, traditions, or stereotypes make inequality or harm seem acceptable.

B. Example:

Gender stereotypes that say leadership roles are mainly for men.

C. Impacts: