Shades of Peace: Navigating Negative and Positive Realities
Peace beyond the surface
As we move through a world filled with division and unrest, seeking peace is an increasingly crucial and complex task. But it's not just about finding a lack of conflict; it's about understanding two distinct yet interconnected kinds of peace: negative peace and positive peace.
In a world often focused on maintaining order and avoiding conflict, the pursuit of peace can sometimes be reduced to superficial calm. But true peace isn’t just about ending violence; it’s about striving for structural justice that addresses the root causes of division. To build a healthy society, we must move beyond simply avoiding conflict and actively pursue a deeper, lasting peace rooted in equality and justice.
What is negative vs positive peace?
Johan Galtung, a pioneering figure in the field of peace studies, shaped our understanding of peace with his Peace Theory in 1969. This theory delineates between two forms of peace, you guessed them: negative and positive.
Negative peace is defined as the absence of direct violence or armed conflict. It represents a scenario where overt, physical aggression or war has ceased. However, this form of peace can be deceptive; it doesn't necessarily mean that the root causes of the conflict, such as systemic injustice, social inequality, or underlying tensions, have been addressed. In essence, negative peace is a surface-level calm, a ceasefire that stops the immediate harm but doesn't heal the underlying wounds.
Positive peace is a more profound and sustainable state described as the integration of human society. This form of peace is not just about the absence of war or violence; it encompasses the presence of social justice, the equitable distribution of resources and the fostering of healthy, interdependent relationships within societies. Positive peace is proactive; it involves building systems, cultures, and attitudes that prevent conflicts from arising by addressing their root causes, including poverty, discrimination, and inequality.
on the other hand, is a more sustainable and holistic form of peace. It involves not only the absence of violence but also the active presence of justice, equity, and systems that prevent conflicts from arising in the first place. Positive peace fosters long-term harmony by addressing the root causes of societal unrest, including poverty, discrimination, and inequality.
This distinction is not just academic; it profoundly influences how we approach and resolve conflicts in our societies and emphasizes the importance of understanding and dismantling structures of oppression and privilege.
Peace, privilege and knapsacks
In the pursuit of peace, the role of privilege (particularly white privilege, yeah?) is pivotal, as it often dictates who benefits from the absence of conflict and who continues to face systemic challenges when negative peace is cultivated.
True peace requires not only the cessation of conflict but also the active dismantling of privileged structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice. This is a wildly alarming reality for folks who benefit from maintaining the status quo that masks underlying inequalities. To reach positive peace, we must do the uncomfortable work of confronting and dismantling these unseen advantages.
Peggy McIntosh’s groundbreaking work in 1989 introduced a vital concept in understanding social dynamics: the invisible knapsack of white privilege. This concept describes white privilege as an invisible knapsack of unearned assets that individuals carry with them. This knapsack represents the advantages, often taken for granted, that come with being part of a dominant racial group. It's about acknowledging these subtle yet powerful daily exemptions from systemic challenges faced by people of color.
So what's in this mystical invisible knapsack? Lots of stuff, including:
Presumption of competence: Being generally assumed competent until proven otherwise, rather than having one's capabilities frequently questioned or underestimated due to race.
Freedom from stereotyping: Not having to contend with negative stereotypes that people often associate with one's racial group.
Safety and comfort in public spaces: Moving through public spaces without fear of being racially profiled or harassed due to one's race, leading to a greater sense of security and ease in daily activities.
Networks and opportunities: Access to networks, job opportunities, and resources through social and familial connections that are often racially homogenous, providing an invisible leg up.
The awareness of white privilege has profound implications for those seeking to be allies in the fight for social justice and peace. It requires a shift from passive acknowledgment to active responsibility. Allies (like me) must use their unearned advantages to challenge and change the systems perpetuating inequality as part of the journey toward positive peace.
Manifesting positive peace in the everyday
Positive peace manifests in daily life when individuals and communities engage in constructive dialogue, show mutual respect and work collaboratively to resolve conflicts. It's also seen in inclusive policies that address social inequalities, in education systems that actively promote peace and justice, and through community programs aimed at social cohesion.
In local contexts, community peacebuilding efforts, such as neighborhood mediation programs, help resolve tensions before they escalate. On a global scale, initiatives like the Northern Ireland peace process—where conflicting parties came together to negotiate and establish the Good Friday Agreement—demonstrate how constructive dialogue can transform deeply divided societies. By focusing on justice, equality, and shared goals, these efforts build the foundation for positive peace, where both immediate violence is prevented and underlying injustices are addressed.
By fostering a mindset rooted in empathy, justice and inclusivity, we can all contribute to creating a society where the pursuit of positive peace becomes a shared, everyday commitment—one that actively works to uplift the well-being of all individuals and communities.
