Forging Peace

Forging Peace
Author: Monroe E. Price
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Total Pages: 420
Release: 2002
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780253215734

The bloody conflicts of the past decade have focused international attention on the strategic role of the media in promoting war and perpetuating chaos. Written against this backdrop, Forging Peace brings together case studies and legal analysis of the steps that the United Nations, NATO, and other organizations have taken to build pluralist and independent media in the wake of massive human rights violations. It examines current thinking on the legality of unilateral humanitarian intervention, and analyzes in graphic detail the pioneering use of information intervention techniques in conflict zones, ranging from full-scale bombardment and confiscation of transmitters to the establishment of new laws and regulatory regimes. With its focus on the role of media in preventing human rights violations, Forging Peace will influence policy and debate for years to come.

Forging Peace in Southeast Asia

Forging Peace in Southeast Asia
Author: Zachary Abuza
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 239
Release: 2016-09-26
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1442257571

Until recently, Southeast Asia was plagued by separatist insurgencies that had simmered, seemingly intractable, for several decades. But peace processes in Indonesia and the Philippines have been some of the most innovative and successful in the world—a model and counterpoint for Thailand and other protracted conflicts. Since the 1970s, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have wrestled with secessionist groups. Each government entered into peace talks then, though without any sincerity or willingness to make significant concessions. By the turn of the millennium, the governments of Indonesia and the Philippines began to reevaluate their strategies while insurgents came to the conclusion that the changed global environment and waning capabilities made victory unlikely. Further, the impact of the 2004 tsunami brought not only another impetus, but also the involvement of the international donor community and peace processes began in both countries where they were successfully implemented. Successful devolution of political and economic powers that protected the cultural rights of the minority population, as well as substantial wealth sharing brought an end to these conflicts. Such successful peace building efforts serve as both a model and counterpoint for Thailand. Each of the case studies begins with a history of the insurgency, an analysis of the insurgent group’s organization, operations, tactics, and capabilities before delving into the history of the peace processes and analyzing the factors that made them successful. Nothing is harder than a peace process, but the lessons of Southeast Asia show that it is made possible through such factors as a national devaluation of power, bold and creative statesmanship, the successful neutralization of spoilers, and the role of neutral third party facilitators. These cases provide important lessons for the fields of counterinsurgency and peace making.

The Forging of the American Empire

The Forging of the American Empire
Author: Sidney Lens
Publisher: Pluto Press
Total Pages: 484
Release: 2003-06-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780745321004

From Mexico to Vietnam, from Nicaragua to Lebanon, and more recently to Kosovo, East Timor and now Iraq, the United States has intervened in the affairs of other nations. Yet American leaders continue to promote the myth that America is benevolent and peace-loving, and involves itself in conflicts only to defend the rights of others; excesses and cruelties, though sometimes admitted, usually are regarded as momentary aberrations.This classic book is the first truly comprehensive history of American imperialism. Now fully updated, and featuring a new introduction by Howard Zinn, it is a must-read for all students and scholars of American history. Renowned author Sidney Lens shows how the United States, from the time it gained its own independence, has used every available means - political, economic, and military - to dominate other nations.Lens presents a powerful argument, meticulously pieced together from a huge array of sources, to prove that imperialism is an inevitable consequence of the U.S. economic system. Surveying the pressures, external and internal, on the United States today, he concludes that like any other empire, the reign of the U.S. will end -- and he examines how this time of reckoning may come about.

Community of Peace

Community of Peace
Author: Christopher Courtheyn
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2022-03-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 082298878X

Achieving peace is often thought about in terms of military operations or state negotiations. Yet it also happens at the grassroots level, where communities envision and create peace on their own. The San José de Apartadó Peace Community of small-scale farmers has not waited for a top-down peace treaty. Instead, they have actively resisted forced displacement and co-optation by guerrillas, army soldiers, and paramilitaries for two decades in Colombia’s war-torn Urabá region. Based on ethnographic action research over a twelve-year period, Christopher Courtheyn illuminates the community’s understandings of peace and territorial practices against ongoing assassinations and displacement. San José’s peace through autonomy reflects an alternative to traditional modes of politics practiced through electoral representation and armed struggle. Courtheyn explores the meaning of peace and territory, while also interrogating the role of race in Colombia’s war and the relationship between memory and peace. Amid the widespread violence of today’s global crisis, Community of Peace illustrates San José’s rupture from the logics of colonialism and capitalism through the construction of political solidarity and communal peace.

Forged Through Fire: War, Peace, and the Democratic Bargain

Forged Through Fire: War, Peace, and the Democratic Bargain
Author: John Ferejohn
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Total Pages: 483
Release: 2016-12-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 163149161X

Peace, many would agree, is a goal that democratic nations should strive to achieve. But is democracy, in fact, dependent on war to survive? Having spent their celebrated careers exploring this provocative question, John Ferejohn and Frances McCall Rosenbluth trace the surprising ways in which governments have mobilized armies since antiquity, discovering that our modern form of democracy not only evolved in a brutally competitive environment but also quickly disintegrated when the powerful elite no longer needed their citizenry to defend against existential threats. Bringing to vivid life the major battles that shaped our current political landscape, the authors begin with the fierce warrior states of Athens and the Roman Republic. While these experiments in “mixed government” would serve as a basis for the bargain between politics and protection at the heart of modern democracy, Ferejohn and Rosenbluth brilliantly chronicle the generations of bloodshed that it would take for the world’s dominant states to hand over power to the people. In fact, for over a thousand years, even as medieval empires gave way to feudal Europe, the king still ruled. Not even the advancements of gunpowder—which decisively tipped the balance away from the cavalry-dominated militaries and in favor of mass armies—could threaten the reign of monarchs and “landed elites” of yore. The incredibly wealthy, however, were not well equipped to handle the massive labor classes produced by industrialization. As we learn, the Napoleonic Wars stoked genuine, bottom-up nationalism and pulled splintered societies back together as “commoners” stepped up to fight for their freedom. Soon after, Hitler and Stalin perfectly illustrated the military limitations of dictatorships, a style of governance that might be effective for mobilizing an army but not for winning a world war. This was a lesson quickly heeded by the American military, who would begin to reinforce their ranks with minorities in exchange for greater civil liberties at home. Like Francis Fukuyama and Jared Diamond’s most acclaimed works, Forged Through Fire concludes in the modern world, where the “tug of war” between the powerful and the powerless continues to play out in profound ways. Indeed, in the covert battlefields of today, drones have begun to erode the need for manpower, giving politicians even less incentive than before to listen to the demands of their constituency. With American democracy’s flanks now exposed, this urgent examination explores the conditions under which war has promoted one of the most cherished human inventions: a government of the people, by the people, for the people. The result promises to become one of the most important history books to emerge in our time.

Mindanao: The Long Journey To Peace And Prosperity

Mindanao: The Long Journey To Peace And Prosperity
Author: Paul Hutchcroft
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 341
Release: 2018-02-14
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9813236388

Across more than four decades, the conflict between the national government and Muslim liberation forces in the southern Philippines has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Two landmark agreements under the presidency of Benigno S Aquino III — the first in 2012 and the second in 2014 — raised high hopes that peace might finally be on the way. But the peace process stalled, and has yet to regain momentum, after a botched counterterrorism operation in early 2015.This volume provides both in-depth examination of the latest stage of a still-ongoing peace process as well as richly textured analysis of the historical, political, and economic context underlying one of the most enduring conflicts in the world. It is thus an extremely important foundational resource in the continuing quest for peace and prosperity in Mindanao.

The Peace Imperative: Transforming the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Peace Imperative: Transforming the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Author: Thomas A.Q.T. Truong
Publisher: Thomas A.Q.T. Truong
Total Pages: 500
Release: 2024-09-07
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

The Peace Imperative: Transforming the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict A Revolutionary Blueprint for Lasting Peace, Regional Prosperity, and Global Security "The Peace Imperative" shatters paradigms, offering a visionary, comprehensive approach to resolving one of the world's most intractable conflicts. This groundbreaking book presents a meticulously crafted roadmap for transforming the Israeli-Palestinian dispute into a catalyst for unprecedented regional cooperation and global stability. Drawing on cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and the collective wisdom of global experts, "The Peace Imperative" goes far beyond traditional peace proposals. It introduces: • The Multidimensional Conflict Ecosystem (MCE) model: A revolutionary framework leveraging AI, quantum computing, and systems thinking to map complex conflict dynamics and identify novel solutions. • The Middle East Renaissance Plan: A $1 trillion economic revitalization initiative, transforming the region into a global hub of innovation, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. • Radical Honesty and Historical Reckoning: A groundbreaking approach to addressing historical grievances, including virtual reality experiences and a Truth and Accountability Commission. • Cutting-Edge Security Paradigm: Utilizing AI-powered predictive peacekeeping, quantum encryption, and neurotechnology to redefine regional security. • Green Middle East Initiative: Massive environmental cooperation projects as catalysts for peace, including solar grand projects and innovative water solutions. • Education Revolution: Transforming curricula to nurture empathy, critical thinking, and a shared vision for the future, anchored by the pioneering Middle East Peace University. • Collective Trauma Healing: Large-scale initiatives addressing the psychological scars of conflict, integrating advanced therapies and community-based reconciliation programs. • Interfaith Harmony Initiative: Reimagining religious narratives as sources of unity, featuring unprecedented cooperation in holy site management and scriptural reinterpretation. • Media and Narrative Transformation: Harnessing AI, virtual reality, and collaborative storytelling to reshape public discourse and foster mutual understanding. • Innovative Governance Models: Exploring new political structures for coexistence, including AI-assisted policy simulations and blockchain-based voting systems. "The Peace Imperative" is more than a book; it's a movement, a call to action for every individual who believes in the power of peace to transform our world. It challenges readers to reimagine what's possible, offering a bold vision of a future where Israelis and Palestinians not only coexist but thrive together, setting a new standard for conflict resolution worldwide. This comprehensive blueprint demonstrates how resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can catalyze a new era of cooperation across the Middle East and beyond, addressing urgent global challenges from climate change to economic inequality. "The Peace Imperative" is essential reading for policymakers, peace activists, students of international relations, and anyone passionate about creating a more just and harmonious world. Dare to imagine a transformed Middle East. Embrace "The Peace Imperative" and become part of the solution to one of history's most enduring conflicts.

Waging Peace

Waging Peace
Author: David Hartsough
Publisher: PM Press
Total Pages: 350
Release: 2014-11-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1629630519

David Hartsough knows how to get in the way. He has used his body to block Navy ships headed for Vietnam and trains loaded with munitions on their way to El Salvador and Nicaragua. He has crossed borders to meet “the enemy” in East Berlin, Castro’s Cuba, and present-day Iran. He has marched with mothers confronting a violent regime in Guatemala and stood with refugees threatened by death squads in the Philippines. Waging Peace is a testament to the difference one person can make. Hartsough’s stories inspire, educate, and encourage readers to find ways to work for a more just and peaceful world. Inspired by the examples of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Hartsough has spent his life experimenting with the power of active nonviolence. It is the story of one man’s effort to live as though we were all brothers and sisters. Engaging stories on every page provide a peace activist’s eyewitness account of many of the major historical events of the past sixty years, including the Civil Rights and anti–Vietnam War movements in the United States and the little-known but equally significant nonviolent efforts in the Soviet Union, Kosovo, Palestine, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. Hartsough’s story demonstrates the power and effectiveness of organized nonviolent action. But Waging Peace is more than one man’s memoir. Hartsough shows how this struggle is waged all over the world by ordinary people committed to ending the spiral of violence and war.

Forging Solidarity

Forging Solidarity
Author: Astrid von Kotze
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2017-04-13
Genre: Education
ISBN: 946300923X

Animating this book is a twofold question: In what ways are adult and popular educators responding to various harsh economic, political, cultural and environmental conditions? In doing so, are they planting seeds of hope for and imaginings of alternative futures which can connect individuals and communities locally and globally to achieve economic, ecological and social justice? The book illustrates how transformative politics of solidarity often involve actors across vastly different backgrounds. Solidarity is therefore a political relationship that is forged through particular struggles situated in place and time across power differentials. The authors put popular education to work by describing and analysing their strategies and approaches. They do so using accessible language and engaging styles. Popular education is a medium for dreaming, for imagining other futures. It is also essential for countering the wilful spreading of fake news and propagation of ignorance. Pedagogies of solidarity are necessary to building connections amongst people at a time when competitive individualism and alienation are rampant. Forging solidarity with and amongst communities is a means towards that end, and, indeed, an end in itself. “Corporate mines and agribusiness poison the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat. Together with their political proxies they destroy the earth and her peoples – too many are killed because of their military, economic, religious and information wars. How do we stand up for ourselves and the earth that nourishes us against this global system? Forging Solidarity shares inspiring stories that feed our deep connection and power.” – Pregs Govender: Author of Love and Courage: A Story of Insubordination “Forging Solidarity is a critical and timely collective intervention that ponders, prods, pokes, and plays in the most generative ways. In so doing, it invites us to continue deepening our engagements with questions of responsibility and justice in relation to education everywhere.” – Richa Nagar, author of Muddying the Waters: Co-authoring Feminisms across Scholarship and Activism “This book inspires people to realize that not fighting against socio-economic injustices is to side with oppressors.” – Ntombi Nyathi, Programme Director of Training for Transformation