Peace is a multifaceted and contested concept that extends far beyond the absence of war or direct violence. Across scholarship and practice, peace is understood not only as a condition to be achieved, but as an ongoing process shaped by social structures, cultural norms, political institutions, and everyday relationships. Different theories of peace emphasise distinct dimensions—ranging from security and stability, to justice, care, dignity, and ecological balance.
This library page brings together key theoretical approaches to peace and their practical applications in social change, development, governance, and community action. It positions peace as both a structural condition and a relational practice, requiring sustained attention to power, inequality, and the conditions that enable people and communities to flourish over time.
Major Theories of Peace #
Negative Peace: The Absence of Direct Violence #
One of the earliest and most widely cited distinctions in peace theory is between negative peace and positive peace. Negative peace refers to the absence of direct, physical violence such as war, armed conflict, or overt repression. While essential, negative peace is limited in scope. It does not address the underlying social, economic, or political conditions that give rise to violence in the first place.
In practice, approaches focused on negative peace prioritise:
- Ceasefires and conflict containment
- Security arrangements and deterrence
- Short-term stabilisation
Such approaches may reduce immediate harm while leaving deeper injustices intact.
Positive Peace: The Presence of Just and Enabling Conditions #
Positive peace expands the concept to include the presence of social systems, institutions, and cultural norms that sustain justice, equity, and wellbeing. This perspective recognises that violence can be embedded structurally—through poverty, exclusion, discrimination, and environmental degradation—even in the absence of overt conflict.
Positive peace frameworks typically emphasise:
- Inclusive governance and participation
- Social justice and equity
- Access to basic needs and services
- Trust, social cohesion, and strong relationships
Peace, in this sense, is inseparable from development, democracy, and care.
Structural and Cultural Violence #
Peace theory also distinguishes between direct violence, structural violence, and cultural violence. Structural violence refers to social arrangements that systematically harm or disadvantage certain groups, while cultural violence encompasses beliefs, narratives, and symbols that legitimise or normalise harm.
Addressing peace therefore requires:
- Transforming institutions and policies
- Challenging dominant narratives and ideologies
- Shifting cultural norms that sustain exclusion or dehumanisation
This perspective broadens peacebuilding beyond conflict zones to include everyday social and political life.
Conflict Transformation #
Rather than seeking to eliminate conflict, conflict transformation views conflict as an inherent feature of social life. The focus shifts from suppression or resolution toward transforming relationships, power dynamics, and social structures so that conflict can be engaged constructively rather than violently.
Key elements include:
- Dialogue and relationship-building
- Addressing historical grievances
- Creating mechanisms for nonviolent contestation
Conflict becomes a potential source of learning and change rather than solely a threat.
Nonviolence as a Practice #
Nonviolence is both a strategic and ethical approach to peace. It rejects violence as a means of achieving social change and instead emphasises organised, collective action that withdraws consent from unjust systems. Importantly, nonviolence is not passive; it involves discipline, courage, and sustained practice.
Nonviolent approaches highlight:
- Power as relational rather than coercive
- Moral legitimacy and broad participation
- Long-term cultural and political transformation
Peace, from this perspective, is enacted through everyday practices as much as through formal agreements.
Peace as a Relational and Ethical Practice #
Across these theories, a common thread is the recognition that peace is deeply relational. It is shaped by how individuals and groups perceive one another, manage difference, and respond to harm. Practices of care, listening, and restraint are therefore not ancillary to peacebuilding but central to it.
This relational view foregrounds:
- Dignity and recognition
- Empathy without erasure of difference
- Accountability and repair
Peace is sustained not only through institutions, but through everyday interactions and cultural practices.
Applications of Peace in Social Change #
Peace frameworks are applied across diverse contexts, including:
- Post-conflict reconciliation and transitional justice
- Community mediation and dialogue initiatives
- Governance reform and democratic renewal
- Social movements and nonviolent resistance
- Education, care, and intergenerational work
In each context, peace is shaped by local histories, power relations, and material conditions, requiring adaptive and context-sensitive approaches.
