The meaning of the word peace

Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups.

«Psychological peace» (such as peaceful thinking and emotions) is perhaps less well defined, yet often a necessary precursor to establishing «behavioural peace.» Peaceful behaviour sometimes results from a «peaceful inner disposition.» Some have expressed the belief that peace can be initiated with a certain quality of inner tranquility that does not depend upon the uncertainties of daily life.^[3] The acquisition of such a «peaceful internal disposition» for oneself and others can contribute to resolving otherwise seemingly irreconcilable competing interests. Peace is not a state of excitement although we are happy when excited, but peace is when one’s mind is quiet and satisfied.

Etymology[edit]

The term ‘peace’ originates most recently from the Anglo-French pes, and the Old French pais, meaning «peace, reconciliation, silence, agreement» (11th century).^[4] The Anglo-French term pes itself comes from the Latin pax, meaning «peace, compact, agreement, treaty of peace, tranquility, absence of hostility, harmony.» The English word came into use in various personal greetings from c. 1300 as a translation of the Hebrew word shalom, which, according to Jewish theology, comes from a Hebrew verb meaning ‘to be complete, whole’.^[5] Although ‘peace’ is the usual translation, however, it is an incomplete one, because ‘shalom,’ which is also cognate with the Arabic salaam, has multiple other meanings in addition to peace, including justice, good health, safety, well-being, prosperity, equity, security, good fortune, and friendliness, as well as simply the greetings, «hello» and «goodbye».^[6] On a personal level, peaceful behaviours are kind, considerate, respectful, just, and tolerant of others’ beliefs and behaviors – tending to manifest goodwill.

This latter understanding of peace can also pertain to an individual’s introspective sense or concept of her/himself, as in being «at peace» in one’s own mind, as found in European references from c. 1200. The early English term is also used in the sense of «quiet», reflecting calm, serene, and meditative approaches to family or group relationships that avoid quarreling and seek tranquility — an absence of disturbance or agitation.

In many languages, the word for peace is also used as a greeting or a farewell, for example the Hawaiian word aloha, as well as the Arabic word salaam. In English the word peace is occasionally used as a farewell, especially for the dead, as in the phrase rest in peace.

Wolfgang Dietrich, in his research project which led to the book The Palgrave International Handbook of Peace Studies (2011), maps the different meanings of peace in different languages and regions across the world. Later, in his Interpretations of Peace in History and Culture (2012), he groups the different meanings of peace into five peace families: Energetic/Harmony, Moral/Justice, Modern/Security, Postmodern/Truth, and Transrational, a synthesis of the positive sides of the four previous families and the society.

History[edit]

In ancient times and more recently, peaceful alliances between different nations were codified through royal marriages. Two examples, Hermodike I (c. 800 BC)^[7] and Hermodike II (c. 600 BC)^[8] were Greek princesses from the house of Agamemnon who married kings from what is now Central Turkey. The union of Phrygia / Lydia with Aeolian Greeks resulted in regional peace, which facilitated the transfer of ground-breaking technological skills into Ancient Greece; respectively, the phonetic written script and the minting of coinage (to use a token currency, where the value is guaranteed by the state).^[9] Both inventions were rapidly adopted by surrounding nations through further trade and cooperation and have been of fundamental benefit to the progress of civilization.

Throughout history, victors have sometimes used ruthless measures to impose peace upon the vanquished. In his book Agricola, the Roman historian Tacitus includes eloquent and vicious polemics against the rapacity and greed of Rome. One, that Tacitus says is by the Caledonian chieftain Calgacus, ends with: Auferre trucidare rapere falsis nominibus imperium, atque ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant. (To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace. — Oxford Revised Translation).

Discussion of peace is therefore at the same time a discussion on its form.. Is it simply the absence of mass organized killing (war), or does peace require a particular morality and justice? (just peace).^[10]
A peace must be seen at least in two forms:

• A simple silence of arms, absence of war.
• Absence of war accompanied by particular requirements for the mutual settlement of relations, which are characterized by terms such as justice, mutual respect, respect for law and good will.

Since 1945, the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council have operated under the aim to resolve conflicts without war. Nonetheless, nations have entered numerous military conflicts since then.

Organizations and prizes[edit]

United Nations[edit]

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue.

After authorization by the Security Council, the UN sends peacekeepers to regions where armed conflict has recently ceased or paused to enforce the terms of peace agreements and to discourage combatants from resuming hostilities. Since the UN does not maintain its own military, peacekeeping forces are voluntarily provided by member states of the UN. The forces, also called the «Blue Helmets», who enforce UN accords are awarded United Nations Medals, which are considered international decorations instead of military decorations. The peacekeeping force as a whole received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.

Police[edit]

The obligation of the state to provide for domestic peace within its borders in usually charged to the police and other general domestic policing activities. The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state to enforce the law, to protect the lives, liberty and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder.^[11] Their powers include the power of arrest and the legitimized use of force. The term is most commonly associated with the police forces of a sovereign state that are authorized to exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal or territorial area of responsibility. Police forces are often defined as being separate from the military and other organizations involved in the defense of the state against foreign aggressors; however, gendarmerie are military units charged with civil policing.^[12] Police forces are usually public sector services, funded through taxes.

National security[edit]

It is the obligation of national security to provide for peace and security in a nation against foreign threats and foreign aggression. Potential causes of national insecurity include actions by other states (e.g. military or cyber attack), violent non-state actors (e.g. terrorist attack), organised criminal groups such as narcotic cartels, and also the effects of natural disasters (e.g. flooding, earthquakes).^{[13]: v, 1–8 [14]} Systemic drivers of insecurity, which may be transnational, include climate change, economic inequality and marginalisation, political exclusion, and militarisation.^[14] In view of the wide range of risks, the preservation of peace and the security of a nation state have several dimensions, including economic security, energy security, physical security, environmental security, food security, border security, and cyber security. These dimensions correlate closely with elements of national power.

League of Nations[edit]

The principal forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations. It was created at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, and emerged from the advocacy of Woodrow Wilson and other idealists during World War I. The Covenant of the League of Nations was included in the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, and the League was based in Geneva until its dissolution as a result of World War II and replacement by the United Nations. The high hopes widely held for the League in the 1920s, for example amongst members of the League of Nations Union, gave way to widespread disillusion in the 1930s as the League struggled to respond to challenges from Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan.

One of the most important scholars of the League of Nations was Sir Alfred Eckhard Zimmern. Like many of the other British enthusiasts for the League, such as Gilbert Murray and Florence Stawell – known as the «Greece and peace» set – he came to this from the study of the classics.

The creation of the League of Nations, and the hope for informed public opinion on international issues (expressed for example by the Union for Democratic Control during World War I), also saw the creation after World War I of bodies dedicated to understanding international affairs, such as the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London. At the same time, the academic study of international relations started to professionalise, with the creation of the first professorship of international politics, named for Woodrow Wilson, at Aberystwyth, Wales, in 1919.

Olympic Games[edit]

The late 19th century idealist advocacy of peace which led to the creation of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Rhodes Scholarships, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and ultimately the League of Nations, also saw the re-emergence of the ancient Olympic ideal. Led by Pierre de Coubertin, this culminated in the holding in 1896 of the first of the modern Olympic Games.

Nobel Peace Prize[edit]

The highest honour awarded to peace makers is the Nobel Prize in Peace, awarded since 1901 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. It is awarded annually to internationally notable persons following the prize’s creation in the will of Alfred Nobel. According to Nobel’s will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who «…shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.»^[15]

Rhodes, Fulbright and Schwarzman scholarships[edit]

In creating the Rhodes Scholarships for outstanding students from the United States, Germany and much of the British Empire, Cecil Rhodes wrote in 1901 that ‘the object is that an understanding between the three great powers will render war impossible and educational relations make the strongest tie’.^[16] This peace purpose of the Rhodes Scholarships was very prominent in the first half of the 20th century, and became prominent again in recent years under Warden of the Rhodes House Donald Markwell,^[17] a historian of thought about the causes of war and peace.^[18] This vision greatly influenced Senator J. William Fulbright in the goal of the Fulbright fellowships to promote international understanding and peace, and has guided many other international fellowship programs,^[19] including the Schwarzman Scholars to China created by Stephen A. Schwarzman in 2013.^[20]

Gandhi Peace Prize[edit]

The International Gandhi Peace Prize, named after Mahatma Gandhi, is awarded annually by the Government of India. It was launched as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Gandhi in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of his birth. This is an annual award given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The award carries Rs. 10 million in cash, convertible in any currency in the world, a plaque and a citation. It is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, creed or sex.

Student Peace Prize[edit]

The Student Peace Prize is awarded biennially to a student or a student organization that has made a significant contribution to promoting peace and human rights.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize[edit]

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize, is awarded annually «in recognition of an individual’s or an organisation’s contribution for the advancement of the cause of peace». The prize was first launched in 2009 by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize Committee under the directive of the caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Culture of Peace News Network[edit]

The Culture of Peace News Network, otherwise known simply as CPNN, is a UN authorized interactive online news network, committed to supporting the global movement for a culture of peace.

Sydney Peace Prize[edit]

Every year in the first week of November, the Sydney Peace Foundation presents the Sydney Peace Prize. The Sydney Peace Prize is awarded to an organization or an individual whose life and work has demonstrated significant contributions to:
The achievement of peace with justice locally, nationally or internationally
The promotion and attainment of human rights
The philosophy, language and practice of non-violence

Museums[edit]

A peace museum is a museum that documents historical peace initiatives. Many provide advocacy programs for nonviolent conflict resolution. This may include conflicts at the personal, regional or international level.

Smaller institutions include the Randolph Bourne Institute, the McGill Middle East Program of Civil Society and Peace Building and the International Festival of Peace Poetry..

Religious beliefs [edit]

Religious beliefs often seek to identify and address the basic problems of human life, including conflicts between, among, and within persons and societies. In ancient Greek-speaking areas, the virtue of peace was personified as the goddess Eirene, and in Latin-speaking areas as the goddess Pax. Her image was typically represented by ancient sculptors as a full-grown woman, usually with a horn of plenty and scepter and sometimes with a torch or olive leaves.

Christianity[edit]

Christians, who believe Jesus of Nazareth to be the Jewish Messiah called Christ (meaning Anointed One),^[21] interpret Isaiah 9:6 as a messianic prophecy of Jesus in which he is called the «Prince of Peace.»^[22] In the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah celebrates his son John: And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

As a testimony of peace, Churches of the Anabaptist Christian tradition (such as the Mennonites), as well Holiness Methodist Pacifists (such as the Immanuel Missionary Church) and Quakers (such as the Conservative Friends), practice nonresistance and do not participate in warfare.^[23][24]

In the Catholic Church, numerous pontifical documents on the Holy Rosary document a continuity of views of the Popes to have confidence in the Holy Rosary as a means to foster peace. Subsequently, to the Encyclical Mense maio,1965, in which he urged the practice of the Holy Rosary, «the prayer so dear to the Virgin and so much recommended by the Supreme Pontiffs,» and as reaffirmed in the encyclical Christi Matri, 1966, to implore peace, Pope Paul VI stated in the apostolic Recurrens mensis, October 1969, that the Rosary is a prayer that favors the great gift of peace.

Hinduism[edit]

Hindu texts contain the following passages:

May there be peace in the heavens, peace in the atmosphere, peace on the earth. Let there be coolness in the water, healing in the herbs and peace radiating from the trees. Let there be harmony in the planets and in the stars, and perfection in eternal knowledge. May everything in the universe be at peace. Let peace pervade everywhere, at all times. May I experience that peace within my own heart.

Let us have concord with our own people, and concord with people who are strangers to us. Ashwins (Celestial Twins,) create between us and the strangers a unity of hearts. May we unite in our minds, unite in our purposes, and not fight against the heavenly spirit within us. Let not the battle-cry rise amidst many slain, nor the arrows of the war-god fall with the break of day

— Yajur Veda 7.52

A superior being does not render evil for evil. This is a maxim one should observe… One should never harm the wicked or the good or even animals meriting death. A noble soul will exercise compassion even towards those who enjoy injuring others or cruel deeds… Who is without fault?

The chariot that leads to victory is of another kind.

Valour and fortitude are its wheels;

Truthfulness and virtuous conduct are its banner;

Strength, discretion, self-restraint and benevolence are its four horses,

Harnessed with the cords of forgiveness, compassion and equanimity…

Whoever has this righteous chariot, has no enemy to conquer anywhere.

— Valmiki, Ramayana

Buddhism[edit]

Buddhists believe that peace can be attained once all suffering ends. They regard all suffering as stemming from cravings (in the extreme, greed), aversions (fears), or delusions. To eliminate such suffering and achieve personal peace, followers in the path of the Buddha adhere to a set of teachings called the Four Noble Truths — a central tenet in Buddhist philosophy.

Islam[edit]

Islam derived from the root word salam which literally means peace. Muslims are called followers of Islam. Quran clearly stated «Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah, hearts are assured» and stated «O you who have believed, when you are told, «Space yourselves» in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, «Arise,» then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.»^[25][26]

Judaism[edit]

The Judaic tradition directly associates God with peace, as evidenced by various principles and laws in Judaism.
Shalom, the biblical and modern Hebrew word for peace, is one of the names for God according to the Judaic law and tradition. For instance, in traditional Jewish law, individuals are prohibited from saying «Shalom» when they are in the bathroom as there is a prohibition on uttering any of God’s names in the bathroom, out of respect for the divine name.
Jewish liturgy and prayer is replete with prayers asking God to establish peace in the world.
The Shmoneh Esreh, a key prayer in Judaism that is recited three times each day, concludes with a blessing for peace. The last blessing of the Shmoneh Esreh, also known as the Amida («standing» as the prayer is said while standing), is focused on peace, beginning and ending with supplications for peace and blessings.
Peace is central to Judaism’s core principle of Moshaich («messiah») which connotes a time of universal peace and abundance, a time where weapons will be turned into plowshares and lions will sleep with lambs. As it is written in the Book of Isaiah 2:4 and 11:6-9:

They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift sword against nation and they will no longer study warfare.^[27]

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.^[28]

This last metaphor from Tanakh (Hebrew bible) symbolizes the peace that a longed for messianic age will be characterized by, a peace where natural enemies, the strong and the weak, predator and prey, will live in harmony.

Jews pray for the messianic age of peace every day in the Shmoneh Esreh in addition to faith in the coming of the messianic age constituting one of the thirteen core principles of faith in Judaism, according to Maimonides.

Ideological beliefs[edit]

Pacifism[edit]

Pacifism is the categorical opposition to the behaviors of war or violence as a means of settling disputes or of gaining advantage. Pacifism covers a spectrum of views ranging from the belief that international disputes can and should all be resolved via peaceful behaviors; to calls for the abolition of various organizations which tend to institutionalize aggressive behaviors, such as the military, or arms manufacturers; to opposition to any organization of society that might rely in any way upon governmental force. Such groups which sometimes oppose the governmental use of force include anarchists and libertarians. Absolute pacifism opposes violent behavior under all circumstance, including defense of self and others.

Pacifism may be based on moral principles (a deontological view) or pragmatism (a consequentialist view). Principled pacifism holds that all forms of violent behavior are inappropriate responses to conflict, and are morally wrong. Pragmatic pacifism holds that the costs of war and inter-personal violence are so substantial that better ways of resolving disputes must be found.

Inner peace, meditation and prayerfulness[edit]

Psychological or inner peace (i.e. peace of mind) refers to a state of being internally or spiritually at peace, with sufficient knowledge and understanding to keep oneself calm in the face of apparent discord or stress. Being internally «at peace» is considered by many to be a healthy mental state, or homeostasis and to be the opposite of feeling stressful, mentally anxious, or emotionally unstable. Within the meditative traditions, the psychological or inward achievement of «peace of mind» is often associated with bliss and happiness.

Peace of mind, serenity, and calmness are descriptions of a disposition free from the effects of stress. In some meditative traditions, inner peace is believed to be a state of consciousness or enlightenment that may be cultivated by various types of meditation, prayer, t’ai chi ch’uan (太极拳, tàijíquán), yoga, or other various types of mental or physical disciplines. Many such practices refer to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself. An emphasis on finding one’s inner peace is often associated with traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and some traditional Christian contemplative practices such as monasticism,^[29] as well as with the New Age movement.

Non-Aggression Principle[edit]

The Non-Aggression Principle (NAP) asserts that aggression against an individual or an individual’s property is always an immoral violation of one’s life, liberty, and property rights.^[30][31] Utilizing deceit instead of consent to achieve ends is also a violation of the Non-Aggression principle. Therefore, under the framework of the Non-Aggression principle, rape, murder, deception, involuntary taxation, government regulation, and other behaviors that initiate aggression against otherwise peaceful individuals are considered violations of this principle.^[32] This principle is most commonly adhered to by libertarians. A common elevator pitch for this principle is, «Good ideas don’t require force.»^[33]

Satyagraha[edit]

Satyagraha is a philosophy and practice of nonviolent resistance developed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He deployed satyagraha techniques in campaigns for Indian independence and also during his earlier struggles in South Africa.

The word satyagraha itself was coined through a public contest that Gandhi sponsored through the newspaper he published in South Africa, Indian Opinion, when he realized that neither the common, contemporary Hindu language nor the English language contained a word which fully expressed his own meanings and intentions when he talked about his nonviolent approaches to conflict. According to Gandhi’s autobiography, the contest winner was Maganlal Gandhi (presumably no relation), who submitted the entry ‘sadagraha’, which Gandhi then modified to ‘satyagraha’. Etymologically, this Hindic word means ‘truth-firmness’, and is commonly translated as ‘steadfastness in the truth’ or ‘truth-force’.

Satyagraha theory also influenced Martin Luther King Jr., James Bevel, and others during the campaigns they led during the civil rights movement in the United States. The theory of satyagraha sees means and ends as inseparable. Therefore, it is contradictory to try to use violence to obtain peace. As Gandhi wrote: «They say, ‘means are, after all, means’. I would say, ‘means are, after all, everything’. As the means so the end…»^[34] A quote sometimes attributed to Gandhi, but also to A. J. Muste, sums it up: «There is no way to peace; peace is the way».

Monuments[edit]

The following are monuments to peace:

Name	Location	Organization	Meaning	Image
Japanese Peace Bell	New York City, NY	United Nations	World peace
Fountain of Time	Chicago, IL	Chicago Park District	100 years of peace between the US and UK
Fredensborg Palace	Fredensborg, Denmark	Frederick IV	The peace between Denmark–Norway and Sweden, after Great Northern War which was signed 3 July 1720 on the site of the unfinished palace.
International Peace Garden	North Dakota, Manitoba	non-profit organization	Peace between the US and Canada, World peace
Peace Arch	border between US and Canada, near Surrey, British Columbia.	non-profit organization	Built to honour the first 100 years of peace between Great Britain and the United States resulting from the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814.
Statue of Europe	Brussels	European Commission	Unity in Peace in Europe
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park	Alberta, Montana	non-profit organization	World Peace
Japanese Garden of Peace	Fredericksburg, Texas	National Museum of the Pacific War	A gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States, presented to honor Chester W. Nimitz and created as a respite from the intensity of violence, destruction, and loss.
Shanti Stupa	Pokhara, Nepal	Nipponzan-Myōhōji-Daisanga	One of eighty peace pagodas in the World.

Theories[edit]

Many different theories of «peace» exist in the world of peace studies, which involves the study of de-escalation, conflict transformation, disarmament, and cessation of violence.^[35] The definition of «peace» can vary with religion, culture, or subject of study.

Balance of power[edit]

The classical «realist» position is that the key to promoting order between states, and so of increasing the chances of peace, is the maintenance of a balance of power between states – a situation where no state is so dominant that it can «lay down the law to the rest». Exponents of this view have included Metternich, Bismarck, Hans Morgenthau, and Henry Kissinger. A related approach – more in the tradition of Hugo Grotius than Thomas Hobbes – was articulated by the so-called «English school of international relations theory» such as Martin Wight in his book Power Politics (1946, 1978) and Hedley Bull in The Anarchical Society (1977).

As the maintenance of a balance of power could in some circumstances require a willingness to go to war, some critics saw the idea of a balance of power as promoting war rather than promoting peace. This was a radical critique of those supporters of the Allied and Associated Powers who justified entry into World War I on the grounds that it was necessary to preserve the balance of power in Europe from a German bid for hegemony.

In the second half of the 20th century, and especially during the cold war, a particular form of balance of power – mutual nuclear deterrence – emerged as a widely held doctrine on the key to peace between the great powers. Critics argued that the development of nuclear stockpiles increased the chances of war rather than peace, and that the «nuclear umbrella» made it «safe» for smaller wars (e.g. the Vietnam war and the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia to end the Prague Spring), so making such wars more likely.

Free trade and interdependence[edit]

It was a central tenet of classical liberalism, for example among English liberal thinkers of the late 19th and early 20th century, that free trade promoted peace. For example, the Cambridge economist John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946) said that he was «brought up» on this idea and held it unquestioned until at least the 1920s.^[36] During the economic globalization in the decades leading up to World War I, writers such as Norman Angell argued that the growth of economic interdependence between the great powers made war between them futile and therefore unlikely. He made this argument in 1913. A year later Europe’s economically interconnected states were embroiled in what would later become known as the First World War.^[37]

Democratic peace theory[edit]

The democratic peace theory posits that democracy causes peace because of the accountability, institutions, values, and norms of democratic countries.^[38]

Territorial peace theory[edit]

The territorial peace theory posits that peace causes democracy because territorial wars between neighbor countries lead to authoritarian attitudes and disregard for democratic values.^[39][40]
This theory is supported by historical studies showing that countries rarely become democratic until after their borders have been settled by territorial peace with neighbor countries.^[41][42]

War game[edit]

The Peace and War Game is an approach in game theory to understand the relationship between peace and conflicts.

The iterated game hypotheses was originally used by academic groups and computer simulations to study possible strategies of cooperation and aggression.^[43]

As peace makers became richer over time, it became clear that making war had greater costs than initially anticipated. One of the well studied strategies that acquired wealth more rapidly was based on Genghis Khan, i.e. a constant aggressor making war continually to gain resources. This led, in contrast, to the development of what’s known as the «provokable nice guy strategy», a peace-maker until attacked, improved upon merely to win by occasional forgiveness even when attacked. By adding the results of all pairwise games for each player, one sees that multiple players gain wealth cooperating with each other while bleeding a constantly aggressive player.^[44]

Socialism and managed capitalism[edit]

Socialist, communist, and left-wing liberal writers of the 19th and 20th centuries (e.g., Lenin, J.A. Hobson, John Strachey) argued that capitalism caused war (e.g. through promoting imperial or other economic rivalries that lead to international conflict). This led some to argue that international socialism was the key to peace.

However, in response to such writers in the 1930s who argued that capitalism caused war, the economist John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946) argued that managed capitalism could promote peace. This involved international coordination of fiscal/monetary policies, an international monetary system that did not pit the interests of countries against each other, and a high degree of freedom of trade. These ideas underlay Keynes’s work during World War II that led to the creation of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank at Bretton Woods in 1944, and later of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (subsequently the World Trade Organization).^[45]

International organization and law[edit]

One of the most influential theories of peace, especially since Woodrow Wilson led the creation of the League of Nations at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, is that peace will be advanced if the intentional anarchy of states is replaced through the growth of international law promoted and enforced through international organizations such as the League of Nations, the United Nations, and other functional international organizations. One of the most important early exponents of this view was Alfred Eckhart Zimmern, for example in his 1936 book The League of Nations and the Rule of Law.^[46]

Trans-national solidarity[edit]

Many «idealist» thinkers about international relations – e.g. in the traditions of Kant and Karl Marx – have argued that the key to peace is the growth of some form of solidarity between peoples (or classes of people) spanning the lines of cleavage between nations or states that lead to war.^[47]

One version of this is the idea of promoting international understanding between nations through the international mobility of students – an idea most powerfully advanced by Cecil Rhodes in the creation of the Rhodes Scholarships, and his successors such as J. William Fulbright.^[48]

Another theory is that peace can be developed among countries on the basis of active management of water resources.^[49]

Day[edit]

World Peace Day, celebrated on 21 September, was founded as a day to recognize, honour and promote peace. It is commemorated each year by United Nations members.

Studies, rankings, and periods[edit]

Peace and conflict studies[edit]

Peace and conflict studies is an academic field which identifies and analyses violent and nonviolent behaviours, as well as the structural mechanisms attending violent and non-violent social conflicts. This is to better understand the processes leading to a more desirable human condition.^[50] One variation,
Peace studies (irenology), is an interdisciplinary effort aiming at the prevention, de-escalation, and solution of conflicts. This contrasts with war studies (polemology), directed at the efficient attainment of victory in conflicts. Disciplines involved may include political science, geography, economics, psychology, sociology, international relations, history, anthropology, religious studies, and gender studies, as well as a variety of other disciplines.

Measurement and ranking[edit]

Although peace is widely perceived as something intangible, various organizations have been making efforts to quantify and measure it. The Global Peace Index produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace is a known effort to evaluate peacefulness in countries based on 23 indicators of the absence of violence and absence of the fear of violence.^[51]

The last edition of the Index ranks 163 countries on their internal and external levels of peace.^[52] According to the 2017 Global Peace Index, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world while Syria is the least peaceful one.^[53] Fragile States Index (formerly known as the Failed States Index) created by the Fund for Peace focuses on risk for instability or violence in 178 nations. This index measures how fragile a state is by 12 indicators and subindicators that evaluate aspects of politics, social economy, and military facets in countries.^[54] The 2015 Failed State Index reports that the most fragile nation is South Sudan, and the least fragile one is Finland.^[55] University of Maryland publishes the Peace and Conflict Instability Ledger in order to measure peace. It grades 163 countries with 5 indicators, and pays the most attention to risk of political instability or armed conflict over a three-year period. The most recent ledger shows that the most peaceful country is Slovenia on the contrary Afghanistan is the most conflicted nation. Besides indicated above reports from the Institute for Economics and Peace, Fund for Peace, and University of Maryland, other organizations including George Mason University release indexes that rank countries in terms of peacefulness.

Long periods[edit]

The longest continuing period of peace and neutrality among currently existing states is observed in Sweden since 1814 and in Switzerland, which has had an official policy of neutrality since 1815. This was made possible partly by the periods of relative peace in Europe and the world known as Pax Britannica (1815–1914), Pax Europaea/Pax Americana (since 1950s), and Pax Atomica (also since the 1950s).

Other examples of long periods of peace are:

• the isolationistic Edo period (also known as Tokugawa shogunate) in Japan 1603 to 1868 (265 years)
• Pax Khazarica in Khazar Khanate (south-east Turkey) about 700–950 AD (250 years)
• Pax Romana in the Roman empire (for 190 or 206 years).

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

External links[edit]

• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• Lemonade a la Carnegie accessed 16 October 2012
• Research Guide on Peace by the United Nations Library at Geneva
• PeaceWiki
• Peace Monuments Around the World
• Peace at Curlie
• Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt)
• Answers to: «How do we achieve world peace?»
• World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit (WARP Summit)

Princeton’s WordNetRate this definition:4.2 / 13 votes

1. peacenoun

   the state prevailing during the absence of war

2. peacenoun

   harmonious relations; freedom from disputes

   «the roommates lived in peace together»

3. peace, peacefulness, peace of mind, repose, serenity, heartsease, ataraxisnoun

   the absence of mental stress or anxiety

4. peace, public securitynoun

   the general security of public places

   «he was arrested for disturbing the peace»

5. peace, peace treaty, pacificationnoun

   a treaty to cease hostilities

   «peace came on November 11th»

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.2 / 13 votes

1. peacenoun

   A state of tranquility, quiet, and harmony. For instance, a state free from civil disturbance.

2. peacenoun

   A state free of oppressive and unpleasant thoughts and emotions.

   The safety equipment will give me some peace of mind.

3. peacenoun

   Harmony in personal relations.

4. peacenoun

   A state free of war, in particular war between different countries.

5. peaceverb

   To make peace; to put at peace; to be at peace.

6. peaceinterjection

   Shortened form of peace out; goodbye.

7. peaceinterjection

   Shut up!, silence!; be quiet, be silent.

8. Etymology: From pece, from pais, from pax, from paḱ-, related to Latin paciscor, Latin pango; see pact. Displaced native Middle English frith, frede (from Old English friþ, freod), Middle English sib (from Old English sibb), Middle English grith (from Old English griþ and Old Norse grið), Middle English saught (from Old English seht, sæht).

Samuel Johnson’s DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Peaceinterjection.

   A word commanding silence.

   Peace! fear, thou comest too late, when already the arm is taken.
   Philip Sidney, b. ii.

   Hark! peace!
   It was the owl that shriek’d, the fatal bellman,
   Which gives the stern’st good night.
   William Shakespeare.

   Peace, good reader do not weep;
   Peace, the lovers are asleep;
   They, sweet turtles, folded lie,
   In the last knot that love could tie.
   Let them sleep, let them sleep on,
   ’Till this stormy night be gone;
   And th’ eternal morrow dawn,
   Then the curtains will be drawn,
   And they waken with that light,
   Whose day shall never sleep in night.
   Richard Crashaw.

   But peace, I must not quarrel with the will
   Of highest dispensation.
   John Milton, Agonistes.

   Silence, ye troubled waves, and, thou deep, peace!
   Said then th’ omnific word.
   John Milton.

   I prythee peace!
   Perhaps she thinks they are too near of blood.
   Dryden.

2. PEACEnoun

   Etymology: paix, French; pax, Latin.

   1. Respite from war.

   The Dane and Swede rouz’d up to fierce alarms,
   Bless the wise conduct of her pious arms;
   Soon as her fleets appear, their terrours cease,
   And all the northern world lies hush’d in peace.
   Addison.

   No joys to him pacifick scepters yield,
   War sounds the trump, he rushes to the field,
   Peace courts his hand, but spreads her charms in vain.
   Anon.

   2. Quiet from suits or disturbances.

   The king gave judgment against Warren, and commanded that Sherborn should hold his land in peace.
   Davies.

   3. Rest from any commotion.4. Stilness from riots or tumults.

   Keep peace upon your lives; he dies that strikes again.
   Sha.

   All assembled here in arms against God’s peace and the king’s, we charge you to repair to your dwelling places.
   William Shakespeare.

   Shallow, you have yourself been a great fighter, though now a man of peace.
   William Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor.

   5. Reconciliation of differences.

   Let him make peace with me.
   Isaiah xxvii. 5.

   6. A state not hostile.

   If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me, let the enemy persecute my soul.
   Psalm vii. 4.

   There be two false peaces or unities: the one grounded upon an implicit ignorance.
   Francis Bacon.

   7. Rest; quiet; content; freedom from terrour; heavenly rest.

   Well, peace be with him that hath made us heavy!
   —— Peace be with us, lest we be heavier!
   William Shakespeare.

   Peace be unto thee, fear not, thou shalt not die.
   Judg. vi. 23.

   The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope.
   Romans xv. 13.

   Religion directs us rather to secure inward peace than outward ease, to be more careful to avoid everlasting torment than light afflictions.
   John Tillotson, Sermons.

   8. Silence; suppression of the thoughts.

   ’Twill out; —— I peace!
   No, I will speak as liberal as the air.
   William Shakespeare.

   In an examination, a freed servant, who had much power with Claudius, very saucily had almost all the words; and amongst other things, he asked in scorn one of the examinates, who was a freed servant of Scribonianus; I pray, Sir, if Scribonianus had been emperor, what would you have done? he answered, I would have stood behind his chair and held my peace.
   Francis Bacon.

   She said; and held her peace: Æneas went
   Sad from the cave.
   Dryden.

WikipediaRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Peace

   Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups. Throughout history, leaders have used peacemaking and diplomacy to establish a type of behavioral restraint that has resulted in the establishment of regional peace or economic growth through various forms of agreements or peace treaties. Such behavioral restraint has often resulted in the reduced conflict, greater economic interactivity, and consequently substantial prosperity.
   «Psychological peace» (such as peaceful thinking and emotions) is perhaps less well defined, yet often a necessary precursor to establishing «behavioral peace.» Peaceful behavior sometimes results from a «peaceful inner disposition.» Some have expressed the belief that peace can be initiated with a certain quality of inner tranquility that does not depend upon the uncertainties of daily life. The acquisition of such a «peaceful internal disposition» for oneself and others can contribute to resolving otherwise seemingly irreconcilable competing interests. Peace is not often in the state of excitement although we are happy when excited, but peace is when one’s mind is quiet and satisfied.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. Peace

   a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose

2. Peace

   exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies

3. Peace

   public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law

4. Peace

   exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions; tranquillity of mind or conscience

5. Peace

   reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony; concord

6. Peace

   to make or become quiet; to be silent; to stop

7. Etymology: [OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix, L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. Appease, Fair, a., Fay, v., Fang, Pacify, Pact, Pay to requite.]

FreebaseRate this definition:5.0 / 5 votes

1. Peace

   Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violence, conflict behaviors and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working political order that serves the true interests of all.
   From the Latin pax, meaning «freedom from civil disorder,» the English word came into use in various personal greetings from c.1300 as a translation of the Hebrew shalom. Such a translation is, however, imprecise, as shalom, which is also cognate with the Arabic «salaam», has multiple other meanings in addition to peace, including justice, good health, safety, well-being, prosperity, equity, security, good fortune, and friendliness. At a personal level, peaceful behaviors are kind, considerate, respectful, just, and tolerant of others’ beliefs and behaviors — tending to manifest goodwill.
   This latter understanding of peace can also pertain to an individual’s introspective sense or concept of her/himself, as in being «at peace» in one’s own mind, as found in European references from c.1200. The early English term is also used in the sense of «quiet», reflecting calm, serene, and meditative approaches to family or group relationships that avoid quarreling and seek tranquility — an absence of disturbance or agitation.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Peace

   pēs, n. a state of quiet: freedom from disturbance: freedom from war: friendliness: calm: rest: harmony: silence.—interj. silence: be silent: hist!—adj. Peace′able, disposed to peace: free from war or disturbance: quiet: tranquil.—n. Peace′ableness.—adv. Peace′ably.—n. Peace′-break′er, one who breaks or disturbs the peace of others.—adj. Peace′ful, full of peace: quiet: tranquil: calm: serene.—adv. Peace′fully.—n. Peace′fulness.—adj. Peace′less, without peace.—ns. Peace′lessness; Peace′maker, one who makes or produces peace; one who reconciles enemies; Peace′-off′ering, an offering bringing about peace: among the Jews, an offering to God, either in gratitude for past or petition for future mercies (see Lev. iii.; vii. 11-21): satisfaction to an offended person; Peace′-off′icer, an officer whose duty it is to preserve the peace: a police-officer.—adj. Peace′-part′ed (Shak.), dismissed from the world in peace.—n. Peace′-par′ty, a political party advocating the making or the preservation of peace; Peace′-pipe (see Calumet).—Peace establishment, the reduced military strength maintained in time of peace; Peace of God, the ancient cessation from suits between terms, and on Sundays and holy days.—Breach of the peace (see Breach); Hold one’s peace, to be silent; Keep peace, abstain from breaking the peace of others; Kiss of peace (see Kiss); Letters of peace (see Pacify); Make one’s peace with, to reconcile or to be reconciled with; Queen’s, or King’s, peace, the public peace, for the maintenance of which the sovereign as head of the executive is responsible; Swear the peace, to take oath before a magistrate that a certain person ought to be put under bond to keep the peace. [O. Fr. pais (Fr. paix)—L. pax, pacis, peace.]

The Roycroft DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. peace

   A monotonous interval between fights.

The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon WurdzRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. PEACE

   A mythical condition of tranquillity frequently reported from the Phillipines.

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. peace

   Freedom from war, exemption from, or cessation of, hostilities. This condition of affairs is effected and maintained by treaties between independent powers.

Rap DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. peaceinterjection

   Salutation or farewell, comparable to the Arabic greeting: «As-Salaam Alaikum». «And that is to bring the peace, not in the flower but the As-Salaam Alaikum in the third I am» — De La Soul (I Am I Be)
   Although everyone from Jews (using the Hebrew word «Shalom») to Hawaiians (using their word «Aloha») uses their word meaning «peace» to say Hello and Goodbye, the use of the word «Peace» that way in English was started by the hippies in the 1960s.
   Hip-hop updated the term to «peace out», «one» or «one love».

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. peace

   An intuitive feeling, knowing and understanding in our body, brain, mind, soul, spirit, subconscious, conscience and consciousness of being calm knowing our voice is heard and that we are achieving what our heart desires in order of priority.

   Peace is a beautiful feeling and everyone deserves to feel and know peace in our body, soul, mind, spirit and consciousness.

   Submitted by MaryC on December 28, 2019  

2. ---

   peacenoun

   peace means serenity

   Submitted by serenitys.73899 on October 4, 2021  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. peace

   Song lyrics by peace — Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by peace on the Lyrics.com website.

2. Peace

   Piece vs Peace — In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Piece and Peace.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. PEACE

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Peace is ranked #4022 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

   The Peace surname appeared 8,841 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 would have the surname Peace.

   70% or 6,194 total occurrences were White.
   23.8% or 2,110 total occurrences were Black.
   2.5% or 226 total occurrences were of two or more races.
   2.4% or 217 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
   0.5% or 51 total occurrences were Asian.
   0.4% or 43 total occurrences were American Indian or Alaskan Native.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word ‘peace’ in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1127

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word ‘peace’ in Written Corpus Frequency: #2087

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word ‘peace’ in Nouns Frequency: #529

How to pronounce peace?

How to say peace in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of peace in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of peace in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of peace in a Sentence

1. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi:

   The country’s balance sheet will not bear the cost of this loan, it will be covered by the production of electricity from the plant, the goal of the signing is a message of hope, work and peace for us in Egypt and for the world.

2. Ezio Auditore da Firenze:

   I do this not for myself. Compio questo sacrificio per il bene superiore (I make this sacrifice for the greater good). Requiescant in pace (Rest in peace).

3. Imran Sarker:

   They want peace, they talk of humanity. If you strike them with stones, they don’t strike back. They try to reach you with flowers, so, if you want to sow fear and stifle progressive thought, they are easy to pick on.

4. Grant Shapps:

   We won’t stand by and watch those who’ve made millions through (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s patronage live their lives in peace as innocent blood is shed.

5. Laurel Miller:

   I don’t believe that Pakistan has the capability to straight out make peace happen in Afghanistan, but they definitely have the capability to make peace not (happen).

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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1	0   0 mid-12c., «freedom from civil disorder,» from Anglo-French pes, Old French pais «peace, reconciliation, silence, permission» (11c., Modern French paix), from Latin pacem (nominativ [..]

2	0   0 peace Stories “Blessed are the Peacemakers” (July 2009 Liahona and Friend) President Henry B. Eyring teaches about how to have peace by being a peacemaker. Includes a simple activity.“Book of Mormon S [..]

3	0   0 peace A parting phrase, in good manner

4	0   0 peace A brief interlude between wars, during which the prudent study the lessons of the last war and prepare for the next one.

5	0   0 peace 1. An acknowledgment of parting, ending a phone call or e-mail, similar to goodbye. Often used with "out." 2. A greeting, similar to hello. 3. An expression of non-violent wishes or [..]

6	0   0 peace (noun) a word indicating one's imminent departure; (verb) the act of departing, or intending to depart

7	0   0 peace Something that George W Bush lacks and uses as an excuse for war.

8	0   0 peace Some thing commonly fought for yet rarely achieved

9	0   0 peace One of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. A visible attribute of a true Christian life as found in Galatians 5:22-23. Peace is a tranquility, a state of rest, that comes from seeking after God, or, the op [..]

10	0   0 peace Variation of the good bye "Peace" but adds love and dope to the ending. used by a small group of stoners in western Pennsylvania to express the philosophy: PLD; all that matters is P [..]

11	0   0 peace a phrase initially said by the rapper Common in a 2007 Holiday ad for the GAP. Commonly used when parting company with friends, family, etc. Often times mistakenly quoted as "peace love AND g [..]

12	0   0 peace situation or state without conflict or aggression.

13	0   0 peace the state prevailing during the absence of war harmonious relations; freedom from disputes; "the roommates lived in peace together" the absence of mental stress or anxiety th [..]

14	0   0 peace a time when no one is fighting

15	0   0 peace sholem

16	0   0 peace a state of tranquillity or quiet: as a : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom [keeping the ] b : freedom from civil disturbance

17	0   0 peace A state of inner calm.

18	0   0 peace The ancient and traditional practice of Christians greeting one another with a sign or word of love or blessing. This is done with an embrace, a handshake, a handclasp, or the exchange of a word of bl [..]

19	0   0 peace Islam, of course. All other religions are religions of war. See Muslims, vast majority of.

20	0   0 peace (n) the state prevailing during the absence of war(n) harmonious relations; freedom from disputes(n) the absence of mental stress or anxiety(n) the general security of public places(n) a treaty t [..]

21	0   0 peace pax pacis, otium, pax pacis

22	0   0 peace The Perpetual Peace. The peace concluded January 24th, 1502, between England and Scotland. But a few years afterwards the battle of Flodden Field was fought.

23	0   0 peace Investigative Interviewing Training (Prepare and Plan, Engage, Account, Challenge, Explain)

24	0   0 peace Prepare/planning, Engage & explain, Account. Closure, Evaluation — interview process

25	0   0 peace lang=en 1600s=1678 * »’1678»’ — . »». *: So I saw that Christian went on his way; yet, at the sight of the Old Man that sat in the mouth of the cave, he could not tell what to think, especial [..]

26	0   0 peace From the English word peace, ultimately derived from Latin pax. This name is most common in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

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