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Explore the concept of peace through history into the future, highlighting the decline of war, rise of nonviolence, and progression towards global harmony and equality. Discover the shift from Total War to Nonviolence and the significance of basic needs, health, equality, literacy, and unity in achieving peace. Delve into the idea that peace is perpetual progress rather than a final destination and understand how humanity is evolving towards a more peaceful coexistence.
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What percentage of people lose their lives due to war? Early human societies: ~25%20th century: <4%recent decades: <2%
History’s trend has been a smaller and smaller percentage of the population engaged in war.And a smaller percentage of deathsfor both soldiers and civilians.This will continue
4types of conflict *Jonathan Schell
1 Total War
WWII WWI Total War 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000
The early 20th century was humanity’s experiment in gazing as closely as possible to the brink of destruction, and then pulling back.
2 People’s War
WWII WWI People’s War American Revolution Total War 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000
3 Terrorism
WWII WWI Terrorism People’s War American Revolution Total War 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000
Terrorism, by definition, is never as bad as it seems.
It is a tactic used by non-state actors too weak to wage Total War or People’s War
Thus, its rise can be seen as a (comparatively) positive trend: it signals a decline in the more violent types of conflict.
4 Nonviolence
= Nonviolence
Satyāgraha ( “ Truth-force ” )
Violence sometimes achieves short-term objectives, but always leaves negativelong-term consequences.
Carnation revolution – Portugal • People Power revolution – Philippines • Velvet revolution – Czech • Bulldozer revolution – Serbia • Rose revolution – Georgia • Orange revolution – Ukraine • Purple revolution – Iraq • Green revolution – Iran • Tulip revolution – Kyrgyzstan • Cedar revolution – Lebanon
WWII WWI Nonviolence Terrorism People’s War American Revolution Total War 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000
So, why the shift? Total War People’s War Terrorism Nonviolence
The increase in the value of each human life. The realization that all are equal.
Again, What is Peace?
2. Basic needs met. Percentage of world’s population living in extreme poverty
4. Health Infant mortality rate
6. Freedom for all /equality of opportunity/ democracy / choice
World literacy rate today:83% 1970: 63% 7. Education /creative fulfillment for all About 175,000 new blogs are created each day
This is a good thing. It means our standards keep improving! • "People who live in a Golden Age usually go around complaining how yellow everything looks." • - poet Randall Jarrell
So, the future of peace? We are destined for peace. But it’s not a single endpoint. By the standards of history, many parts of the world are already at peace.
Jesse Richards www. secretpeace .com