The Meaning of Peace as the Absence of Violence

- Peace may be defined as the absence of physical and structural violence, or

peace is the absence or reduction of all kinds (Galtung, 1996).

2 kinds of Violence (referred in the definition):

* Physical Violence – refers to the actual, visible, and physical harm
done against people and the ecosystem (environment)
- this type of violence is reflected in some particular acts, which are
usually penalized under existing laws.
- these acts are easily seen and felt.
Ex.: Infractions of Criminal laws

- the commission of physical violence must have at least an object to

which the violence is committed. This object may be a person or a thing in the
environment.
It is human object when the violence is in the form of : murder, genocide,

rape and other crimes is committed against persons or humanity .

It is an environmental object when violence is in the form of:

environmental pollution, deforestation, destruction of biodiversity, and

similar acts is directed against the ecosystem or the environment

itself.

- The eradication of physical violence becomes possible only of solutions

address causes at its roots.

*Structural Violence – refers to that non-physical type of violence perpetuated

by society. It is a “built-in” feature of the system itself.

- has no direct object. But its effect is far-reaching, more disturbing, and

long-lasting.

- is latent and hidden beneath the very foundation of society.

- it is maintained within the system either by those who benefit from it or

by the system’s own flaws or weaknesses.

Example: Corruption, poverty, uneven distribution of economic resources,

malnutrition, and prostitution.

- Physical violence persists in a spiral form unless the structural violence that

appears as its root cause is properly addressed.

The Meaning of Peace as Creative Conflict Transformation
- Gultang (1996) explains that peace is a non-violent and creative
conflict transformation.
- Peace is the context for conflicts to unfold non-violently and creatively.
- The transformation of conflict from its status quo to its transformed
state is crucial in the study of conflict.

*Non-violent Conflict Transformation – refers to how conflict is

confronted and resolved.
- first phase of the conflict transformation.
- it is from this phase that conflict is viewed as an opportunity to
bring about changes in the status quo – a change for the better; a
transformed state.
- this is exemplified in the statement, “There is no other way to peace;
*Creative Conflict Transformation – the second phase of conflict
transformation
- refers to the advantages obtained through resolving conflicts
- conflicts present us with different alternatives for which choices may
be selected to transform the status quo.
- conflict creates a situation whereby a better state of affairs may be
achieved.
- conflict signals that something has to be done to improve society.
 Types of Peace
- Conflict is amoral. It is neither good nor bad.
- The existence of conflicts gives better opportunity to rectify the errors
of society and bring about a transformed state of human affairs.
- Establishing the right culture for peace is essential in dealing with
conflicts responsibly. Cooperation is preferred over individualism; dialogue
is preferred over aggression; and the culture of peace is preferred over
the culture of war and violence.

*the process of dialogue is an essential step in resolving conflict. The

absence of dialogue raises propensity for violence. Peace-making, peace-
building, and peace-keeping are essential incremental steps to continuous
dialogue. The process of negotiation, on the other hand, resolves conflict
non-violently. Negotiation puts opposing parties in a win-win state and
achieves voluntary agreement necessary in conflict transformation.
 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE PEACE

Negative Peace - Many people have operationally defined the concept of peace to
mean the absence of physical violence such as war, crimes, riots and revolutions.
The absence of this physical violence or its negation means the presence of peace.

*Violence – may be classified broadly into physical violence and structural violence.
*Physical Violence – refers to the manifest and actual turmoil and disorder brought
about by individual or group acts in clear violation of the existing order.
*Structural Violence – refers to the causes of physical violence that is built in the
very nature of society.
- is built into the system by deliberate orchestration by those who hold
political and economic powers
- Negative peace is achieved when physical violence is eliminated without
eradicating structural violence.

Positive Peace – attained when structural violence is eliminated.