If this Gaza War teaches us anything, if the tragic history of wars in the Middle East teaches us anything, it is that when people are determined to obtain weapons and fight, war goes on and solves nothing. Thankfully, both sides have declared unilateral cease-fires even as sporadic violence continues. However, the first moves by President Obama regarding the Middle East signals a paradigm shift. His may be a just peace presidency.
Professor Glen Stassen gives us ten just peace principles: nonviolent direct action; independent initiatives to reduce a threat; cooperative conflict resolution; acknowledge responsibility for conflict and injustice and seek repentance and forgiveness; advance democracy, human rights, and religious liberty; foster just and sustainable economic development; work with cooperative forces in the international system; strengthen the United Nations and international efforts for cooperation and human rights; reduce offensive weapons and weapons trade; encourage grassroots peacemaking groups (Just Peacemaking: Ten Practices For Abolishing War
I say these principles may be grouped into three categories
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!