Various Things that Can Be in Order for Nations to Live in Peace - Case Study Example

English research paper What needs to be done for the nations to live in peace Introduction What is peace? What causes uproar or conflicts? How can nations become peaceful? These are some of the question that comes up when the topic of peace is . Peace is as a nonwarring, normal condition of a state, group of the nation or the world. It can also be defined as a treaty or agreement between antagonistic and warring nations, to end hostilities and abstain from further antagonism or fighting. Peace is an episode of harmony amid different social groups that are characterized by freedom of fear of violence, and lack of conflict behavior or violence. It is as the absence of retribution and hostility (Boulding, 470). Peace may also suggest the existence of healthy or newly healed international and interpersonal relationship, sincere attempt for reconciliation and prosperity in matters of economic or social welfare as well as working political order and establishment of equality that serves the real interests of all. Peace can only be achieved by ensuring that all the cases of violence are critically. The paper will discuss the various things that can be in order for nations to live in peace. What needs to be done for the nations to live in peace? Causes and nature of violence The nature of conflicts has changed significantly in the past two decade. The state of conflicts has evolved from nations fighting each other to various forms of conflicts and violence that incorporates non-state actors such as organized crimes, gangs and rebels as well as armies fighting for separation, independence and political control. Cases of conflicts have existed in almost all continents in the worlds and have led many losses of lives. Unlike the cold war that existed in the last century, current forms of violence often have no clear military, ideological or political objectives (Burton, 282). These types of conflicts are not easily solved or addressed with traditional instruments such as military and diplomacy means. The drivers of violence often include a broad range of factors including social, political, environmental and political issues. They can include joblessness, management of natural resources, political exclusion and corruption, human rights abuse, inequalities, and injustices. In many occasions, it is often challenging to define a precise cause and the roles of various factors that are interrelated and may end up leading to violence. Addressing the different types of conflicts requires a multidimensional approach that spans the development of security, justice and political area (Burton, 284). Solved conflicts will result in a peaceful nation and peace can only be achieved when all forms of conflicts have been prevented. A single factor never causes conflicts. Rather, conflict is multicausal, context specific and multi-dimensional and can often occur as a combination of a variety of issues. Social, economic effects causes includes; exclusions and marginalization, inequality, poverty, and weakening or absence of social cohesion. Resource and environmental causes of greed include unjust resource exploitation and scarcity of national resources as a result of growth in population leading to environmental insecurity. Boulding (473) stated that, “ Institutional and political causes of violence and conflicts include elite power struggles, weak state institutions, political exclusions, corruption and breakdown in the social contract as well as identity politics”. Each of the stated factors may result in a cause or impact of a conflict. Understanding and identifying the interactions between dimensions, various causes and dynamics of conflict and the particular contexts in which violence and conflicts arises is important in determining potential areas of interventions and designing effective strategies and methods for conflict resolution, prevention and transformation. What to be done for nations to live in peace In order for nations to be peaceful, all forms of conflicts have to be prevented and solved. Some of the goals to be achieved for a peaceful country includes; establishing and strengthening people’s security, improving livelihood and generating employment, increasing peoples’ access to justice and addressing injustices and building capacity and manage revenues for accountability and fair service delivery (Boulding, 474). The whole globe is facing violence and conflicts each day. In fact, there is no time in history which has not experienced violent conflicts. But at the same time there have been thinkers, sages, prophets, writers, religious personalities, Sufis and poets who have emphasized on peace love and harmony. Even though both trends of violence and of peace have gone together, conflicts and violence remains predominantly in our memory. Peace is by almost all nation or individual around the world, and there are only a few nations or individuals who may want to perpetuate conflicts, war, and violence. Levi (23) stated that, “We must be aware that conflicts and violence are perpetuated by powerful vested interests whether regional, local, international or national”. In order to maintain peace and prevent conflicts, the cause of violence has to be identified. Conflict is a result of clashes of interests, not of civilization or religions, as some other theorists have maintained (Levi, 23). These interests can be into social, religion, economic and political. Vested interests often trigger language, religion and ideology to legitimize their interests. Peace activists should, therefore, identify such interests and avoid being deceived by it at all costs. As a result of seeking legitimization by vested welfare we always that believe that conflict is national or religion though it is not. Categories like nation or religion are not fundamental causes of violence or conflict. They are as instrumental causes and are often utilized as influential instruments by vested interests. Resolving conflicts is a challenging job. It requires inexhaustible degree of patience as well as understanding of the causes of conflict. To deals with parties that are in conflict with each other, patient and objectivity is need. The nature of conflict tends to change from time to time. It is also essential to recognize that every conflict is not violence. Non-violent conflicts will also play a creative and decisive role in numerous cases. Peace can only be when conflicts and violence are resolved, and reconciliation allowed (Levi, 24). In order to resolve the numerous conflicts that exist in various parts of the world, peace advocates should be able to familiarize themselves with the conflicts’ history and it’s social, economic, political and historical roots. Moreover, real solutions to various problems can also be achieved through a win-win situation. These are a situation where all parties in the conflicts benefit from the resolution. Both sides in conflicts should have a feeling they have both won and should at least possess the spirit of give and take. The kind of decision may often target conflicts between two nations, political parties or even communities that have continued to be in a conflict. Many people are aware that some governments have struggled to move beyond the dysfunction and violence and conflicts that characterize some families, communities and individuals. Within some community settings alcohol and drug prevails, children are being apprehended by family members being involved in the justice system. The problems are being fueled by a rise in the rate of unemployment, lack of employment opportunities as well as a lack of education. Loss of tradition, language and culture can further increase the problems (Singer, 530). Such challenges might trigger conflicts within the country leading to loss of lives and properties. States should thereby put effective planning in place that will help decline the challenges faced by such people. In addition, church leaders as well as elders and parents should be able to engage their children in peace initiatives and teach against conflicts and violence. Gang and terrorism issues can he settled by having peace initiatives in place as well as strengthening the nations’ security around the world. It is of the essence to distinguish between the proximal causes that trigger escalation of conflicts and structurally underlying causes of conflicts. These is the reason conflict resolution today should identify the difference between short-term and structural prevention (Tidwell, 463). The fundamental causes include issues that are related to poverty, state weakness, economic deprivation and political injustice. Tidwell (463) stated that, “Structural prevention should possess strong human and financial needs and should comprise of local capacity building, developmental aids and assistance in human rights and election monitoring”. To deal with triggers of violence and threats to peace around the world, nations should take into account issues such as high population growth, poverty, disempowerment and discrimination of minorities, resource scarcity, sources of insecurity and military threats. A particular part of these aspects can lead to violence, societal stress and war. Conclusion Since the end of the Second World War, scholars and practitioners have paid extreme attention to prevention of conflicts. Preventive actions are designed to manage, resolve, and contain disputes before they become a threat to peace (Tidwell, 464). Conflict management entails the mitigation, limitation, and containment of conflict with a purpose or goal of maintaining peace around the world. Conflict prevention strategies entail activities such as conflict resolution and avoidance, with techniques such as peacemaking, peacekeeping, mediation and confidence-building measures. But despite the implementation of all these strategies, conflict resolution remains an enigma. Conflicts have continued to exist, and many of them have turned violent. It is time for nations to identify long-term solutions to various challenges that they face with a goal of ensuring peace is achieved and maintained. Work cited Boulding, E. Peace Research: Dialectics And Development. 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