Peace
The word peace entered English from the Anglo-French term pais, which itself derived from Old French pais. This linguistic path traces back to Latin pax, meaning peace, compact, agreement, treaty of peace, tranquility, absence of hostility, and harmony. The Hebrew root shalom carries multiple meanings beyond simple peace, including justice, good health, safety, well-being, prosperity, equity, security, good fortune, and friendliness. Ancient Jewish theology links this root to a verb meaning 'to be complete' or 'whole'. In many languages today, the concept serves as both greeting and farewell. Hawaiian culture uses the word aloha for similar purposes, while Arabic speakers use salam in daily exchanges. English occasionally employs peace as a final goodbye, particularly phrases like rest in peace or peace out when addressing the dead. Early English usage reflected quiet, calm, serene, and meditative approaches to family or group relationships that lacked quarreling, disturbances, and agitation.
Royal marriages forged diplomatic relations between ancient civilizations around 800 BCE and 600 BCE. Hermodike I married the king of Phrygia, while her successor Hermodike II wed the king of Lydia. These Greek princesses from the house of Agamemnon brought technological innovations to Greece through their unions with Anatolian rulers. The Phrygians introduced the Greek alphabet, while Lydians pioneered coinage as currency. Roman historian Tacitus wrote critically about empire in his work Agricola, describing how conquerors call their ravaging and slaughter empire while calling desolation peace. The Caledonian chieftain Calgacus delivered a famous speech condemning Roman expansion. Since 1945, the United Nations Security Council has operated to resolve conflicts without war, though nations have entered numerous military conflicts since then. Peace sometimes arrives through simple silence of arms, yet true societal peace requires justice, mutual respect, law, and good will.
The League of Nations emerged from the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 following World War I advocacy by Woodrow Wilson and other idealists. Its Covenant appeared within the Treaty of Versailles that same year. The organization based itself in Geneva until dissolution during World War II when replaced by the United Nations. High hopes held for the League among members like the League of Nations Union faded into disillusionment during the 1930s as Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan challenged its authority. Scholar Sir Alfred Eckhard Zimmern drew inspiration from classics alongside British scholars Gilbert Murray and Florence Stawell. This group became known as the Greece and peace set due to shared interest in ancient Greek civilization and peace promotion. The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop wars between countries and provide dialogue platforms. UN peacekeepers called Blue Helmets enforce accords but receive no own military force, relying instead on voluntary contributions from member states. These forces earn United Nations Medals considered international decorations rather than military ones. The entire peacekeeping force received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.
Ancient Greek-speaking areas personified peace virtue as goddess Eirene, while Latin regions used goddess Pax. Sculptors typically depicted these figures as full-grown women holding horns of plenty, scepters, torches, or olive leaves. Christians interpret Isaiah's prophecy calling Jesus Prince of Peace as messianic fulfillment. Gospel of Luke records Zechariah celebrating his son John as prophet who prepares Lord ways through forgiveness of sins. Medieval era Gospel of Saint Matthew served basis for war condemnation expressed by Saint Francis of Assisi. Disillusioned with youth military service during Pope Innocent III Fourth Crusade, Francis urged disciples to follow Blessed are peacemakers teaching. Catholic Church documents like Encyclical Mense maio 1965 and Christi Matri 1966 show Popes confidence in Holy Rosary fostering peace. Buddhist philosophy teaches peace attained by ending pain stemming from cravings, fears, delusions, and attachments to outcomes. Followers adhere to Four Noble Truths central tenet eliminating suffering. Islam derives root word salam meaning peace literally. Quran states hearts find comfort in remembrance of Allah. Jewish liturgy replete with prayers asking God establish peace world. Shmoneh Esreh prayer recited three times daily concludes blessing focused on peace beginning and ending supplications.
Pacifism categorically opposes behaviors of war or violence settling disputes gaining advantage. Views range believing international disputes resolved via peaceful behaviors to calls abolishing organizations institutionalizing aggressive behaviors like military arms manufacturers. Absolute pacifism opposes violent behavior under all circumstances including self defense. Mahatma Gandhi developed Satyagraha philosophy practice nonviolent resistance deployed campaigns Indian independence earlier struggles South Africa. Word satyagraha coined through public contest Gandhi sponsored newspaper Indian Opinion when realizing neither Hindu English language fully expressed meanings intentions talking about nonviolent approaches conflict. Contest winner Maganlal Gandhi submitted entry sadagraha which Gandhi modified to satyagraha. Etymologically Hindic word means truth-firmness commonly translated steadfastness truth truth-force. Theory influenced Martin Luther King Jr James Bevel during civil rights movement United States campaigns. Gandhi wrote means are everything saying means so end. Speaking truth power phrase originated pamphlet Speak Truth to Power Quaker Search Alternative Violence published American Friends Service Committee 1955. Contributors included civil rights activist Bayard Rustin though his name expunged from pamphlet due arrest charges committing homosexual act 1953.
Classical realist position maintains key promoting order states increasing chances peace maintenance balance power situation no state dominant laying down law rest. Exponents include Metternich Bismarck Hans Morgenthau Henry Kissinger. Related approach tradition Hugo Grotius Thomas Hobbes articulated English school international relations theory Martin Wight book Power Politics 1946 1978 Hedley Bull Anarchical Society 1977. Balance power sometimes requiring willingness go war critics saw idea promoting war rather than peace. Second half 20th century Cold War particular form mutual nuclear deterrence emerged widely held doctrine key peace great powers. Critics argued development nuclear stockpiles increased chances war making safe smaller wars Vietnam War Soviet invasion Czechoslovakia Prague Spring. Appeasement strategy achieving peace political material territorial concessions aggressive power. Deterrence strategy using threats limited force dissuade actor escalating conflict typically because prospective attacker believes probability success low costs attack high. Free trade promoted peace central tenet classical liberalism late 19th early 20th century English liberal thinkers Cambridge economist John Maynard Keynes brought up idea unquestioned until at least 1920s. Norman Angell argued economic interdependence between great powers made war futile unlikely 1913. Europe economically interconnected states embroiled First World War year later.
Global Peace Index produced Institute for Economics Peace evaluates peacefulness countries based 23 indicators absence violence fear violence. 2015 edition ranked 163 countries internal external levels peace. According to 2017 Global Peace Index Iceland most peaceful country world Syria least peaceful one. Fragile States Index formerly Failed States Index created Fund Peace focuses risk instability violence 178 nations. Index measures state fragility 12 indicators subindicators evaluating aspects politics social economy military facets countries. 2015 Failed State Index reports South Sudan most fragile nation Finland least fragile one. University Maryland publishes Peace and Conflict Instability Ledger measuring peace grades 163 countries 5 indicators paying attention risk political instability armed conflict three-year period. Most recent ledger shows Slovenia most peaceful country Afghanistan most conflicted nation. Longest continuing period peace neutrality among currently existing states observed Sweden since 1814 Switzerland official policy neutrality since 1815. Periods relative peace Europe world known Pax Britannica 1815-1914 Pax Europaea Pax Americana since 1950s Pax Atomica also since 1950s. Isolationistic Edo period Tokugawa shogunate Japan lasted 1603 to 1868 spanning 265 years.
Common questions
What is the origin of the word peace in English?
The word peace entered English from the Anglo-French term pais, which itself derived from Old French pais and traces back to Latin pax. This linguistic path includes meanings such as tranquility, absence of hostility, and harmony.
When was the United Nations founded and what role do Blue Helmets play?
The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop wars between countries and provide dialogue platforms. UN peacekeepers called Blue Helmets enforce accords but receive no own military force, relying instead on voluntary contributions from member states.
Who developed Satyagraha philosophy and when did it emerge?
Mahatma Gandhi developed Satyagraha philosophy practice nonviolent resistance deployed campaigns Indian independence earlier struggles South Africa. The word satyagraha was coined through a public contest Gandhi sponsored newspaper Indian Opinion when realizing neither Hindu English language fully expressed meanings intentions talking about nonviolent approaches conflict.
Which country was ranked most peaceful in the 2017 Global Peace Index?
According to 2017 Global Peace Index Iceland most peaceful country world Syria least peaceful one. The index evaluates peacefulness countries based 23 indicators absence violence fear violence.
What is the historical period known as Pax Britannica and when did it occur?
Periods relative peace Europe world known Pax Britannica 1815-1914 Pax Europaea Pax Americana since 1950s Pax Atomica also since 1950s. This era represents a time of relative peace following the Napoleonic Wars until the outbreak of World War I.