Rethinking War and Peace

Diana Francis

Description

Is war ever a just way to resolve conflict? Diana Francis argues that it is not. With passion and eloquence, she mounts a head-on challenge to the belief that war as an institution is either necessary or effective for good.



Refuting the notion that human nature condemns us to perpetual carnage, she argues that we can change the ways we think and the systems we live by. In a tightly reasoned discussion of the ethics of war and peace she asserts that war is a gross denial of the core values on which peace depends, and that the Just War Theory has failed and deceived us.



The book explores alternative ways of confronting aggression and injustice, showing that these are neglected but well proven. Francis argues that our security can be enhanced by recognition of our shared responsibility for each other and our planet. Practical solutions require a new level of participation in public affairs. Recent events have shown that this is possible. Francis outlines the steps we must take to bring about the radical shift so urgently needed.
Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 Where are we?

Events and realities

Presentation and perceptions

2 What is war good for? Myth and reality

The myth of war

War’s causes

War leaders and their motivations

‘Exhausted alternatives’: the case of Kosovo

War’s efficacy for good

The negative effects of war

Conclusion

3 War, violence and human nature

Power as domination

Violent structures

Us and them

Violence and human nature

The role of culture

Gender and violence

Nature and nurture: changing gender roles

Broader possibilities of cultural change

Psychology and moral development

4 Peace, war and ethics

Ethics, self and society

Ethics and war

Ethics and power

The logic (and illogic) of war

War as justice

Just war theories

The protection of civilians – sliding boundaries

Means and ends: consequentialism

Measuring wider consequences

Sins of omission

Accepting responsibility

Strengthening peace ethics

5 Opposing evil and standing up for good

What about Hitler?

Tyranny and ‘people power’

Nonviolent resistance in recent history

People-power around the world

The strength of nonviolence – building peace

International solidarity

A constructive role for governments in supporting peace ‘abroad’

An answer to terrorism?

People-power to resist militarism and demand peace

6 Peace, identity and participation

From identity to identification

Purposes and values

Participation

Achieving change

7 Time for action

What needs to be done and why

Getting on with the job

Reasons for hope

Notes and References

Index

Sujets

• Political Science
• Peace

Informations

• Publié par: Pluto Press
• Date de parution: 20 mai 2004
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781783719365
• Langue: English

Extrait

Rethinking War and Peace

Diana Francis