Invention of Peace:

Reflections on War and International

Order
 Invention of Peace

• complex and multifaceted process

• requires a fundamental shift in the way we view war and
conflict
• as a commitment to finding new ways of resolving
disputes and building a more just and equitable world
order.
 One of the key challenges in inventing
peace
• overcoming the entrenched mindset that sees war as a necessary
and even desirable means of achieving political and economic
objectives.
• This mindset has been reinforced by centuries of military
history and the pervasive influence of military-industrial
complexes in many countries.
• To break free from this mindset, we need to cultivate a
new way of thinking about conflict and its resolution.
This includes a greater emphasis on diplomacy,
negotiation, and other non-violent means of conflict
resolution, as well as a recognition of the long-term
costs and consequences of war.
 Inventing Peace

Requires us to rethink our existing

international institutions and structures.
This includes the United Nations, the
International Criminal Court, and other
bodies that are charged with maintaining
global peace and security.
We need to ensure that these institutions
are equipped with the necessary tools and
resources to address the root causes of
conflict and to prevent future wars.
In addition to these institutional reforms, we also need to
invest in education and awareness-raising efforts that help
people understand the true costs of war and the benefits of
peace. This includes promoting values such as empathy,
compassion, and respect for human rights, as well as
fostering a greater sense of global citizenship and
interconnectedness.
Ultimately, the invention of peace requires a collective effort
from individuals, communities, and governments around the
world. By working together to challenge our existing
assumptions and to build a more just and equitable world
order, we can help to ensure a future in which war is no
longer seen as a necessary or desirable means of achieving
our goals.
 How peace was invented?

Earliest efforts to prevent war and promote peace can

be seen in the work of ancient Greek philosophers
such as Plato and Aristotle, who explored the idea of a
just and harmonious society based on reason and
virtue rather than force and coercion
In more recent times, the horrors of the two World Wars
led to a renewed focus on the importance of peace and
international cooperation. This culminated in the
establishment of the United Nations in 1945, which was
designed to promote peace and security through
diplomacy, mediation, and other peaceful means.
Over the decades that followed, there were many
movements and initiatives that sought to promote
peace and disarmament, including the anti-nuclear
movement of the 1950s and 1960s and the peace
marches and protests of the 1960s and 1970s.
More recently, there has been a growing awareness of the
interconnectedness of global issues and the need for a more holistic
and collaborative approach to promoting peace and sustainability.
This has led to the development of new frameworks and initiatives
such as the Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to address
the root causes of conflict and inequality through a combination of
social, economic, and environmental measures.
In short, the invention of peace has been a long and
ongoing process that has involved the contributions of
many individuals and institutions over time. While there
is still much work to be done, there are many reasons to
be hopeful that we can continue to build a more peaceful
and just world in the years to come.
What are the different reflections on war?
There are many different reflections on war, and they can vary widely depending on factors such
as cultural context, historical period, and individual perspective. Some common reflections on war
include:
1. War as a necessary evil: This view holds that war is sometimes necessary to protect national or
collective interests, and that while it is regrettable and tragic, it is sometimes the only option for
achieving certain goals.

2. War as an unjustifiable evil: This view holds that war is always morally wrong, and that there
are no circumstances under which it can be justified. This perspective emphasizes the human cost
of war and the fact that it often leads to widespread suffering, death, and destruction.
3. War as a transformative experience: This view emphasizes the
transformative power of war, and suggests that it can lead to personal growth
and development, as well as societal and cultural change.
 
4. War as a product of structural factors: This view suggests that war is often
the result of deeper structural factors such as economic inequality, political
instability, and cultural or religious conflict. It emphasizes the need to
address these underlying causes in order to prevent future wars.
5. War as a reflection of human nature: This view holds that war is an inherent part of human
nature, and that it is impossible to completely eliminate it from human society. It emphasizes the
importance of managing conflict and finding non-violent ways of resolving disputes.

6. War as a site of resistance and agency: This view emphasizes the agency and resistance of people
affected by war, including soldiers, civilians, and communities. It suggests that war can be an
opportunity for people to assert their autonomy and resist oppression and violence.

Overall, the reflections on war are diverse and complex, and often reflect broader cultural,
historical, and political trends.
 How was international order created?
The creation of the international order has been a long and
complex process that has evolved over many centuries.
Historically, the international order was characterized by a system
of sovereign nation-states that pursued their own interests and
often engaged in conflicts and wars with one another.
However, the modern international order emerged in the
aftermath of World War II, which led to a renewed focus on
the need for international cooperation and collective security.
This culminated in the establishment of the United Nations
(UN) in 1945, which was designed to promote peace and
security through diplomacy, mediation, and other peaceful
means.
Over the years that followed, the UN was joined by other
international organizations and institutions, such as the
World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and
the World Trade Organization (WTO). These organizations
were designed to promote economic development, trade,
and other forms of international cooperation.
At the same time, the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union
created a bipolar international order, in which many countries aligned
themselves with one or the other superpower.

The end of the Cold War in 1991 marked a new phase in the evolution of the
international order. This period saw the emergence of a more multipolar
international system, characterized by greater diversity of actors and a more
complex network of alliances and relationships.
Today, the international order is shaped by a variety of factors,
including economic interdependence, political ideology, military
power, and cultural and religious differences. While there are still
many challenges and conflicts within the international system, the
growth of international institutions and the development of new
forms of global governance have helped to create a more stable
and predictable international order.