There Is An Answer. It Is
Not War.
This is the emphatic message of Just Peacemaking – experience-based
practices that shift the focus from the polar opposites of pacifism “no war
ever” and “justified” war to a systematic and organized effort to effect moral and constructive alternatives to violence.
These practices have demonstrated in today’s world that they work
by relieving causes of war and by toppling dictators without the killing,
destruction and chaos of war. In the last 33 years, authoritarian systems have
collapsed in 67 countries. Political action by grassroots nonviolent civic
coalitions was a key in 50 of these transitions. Only one was a result of
external intervention. Most of the fifty maintain freedom rooted in respect for
human rights and the rule of law. Despite setbacks, there has been no
comparable trend to authoritarian rule.
Nonviolent activism is not a safe or painfree activity. Its leaders and foot soldiers have been scorned, abused, and killed. Unlike civilians killed by military fire, however, they are a volunteer army struggling for their beliefs. We hold them up as heroes.
Veterans for Peace, Northwest Florida asks President Obama and the Congress to make Just Peacemaking or comparable measures an integral and prominent part of America’s defense and foreign policy. We do not claim that the ten practices below are exhaustive; there are undoubtedly more. We do not claim that Just Peacemaking is infallible. But, its practices have proved by experience to be effective, in particular, more effective than military action.
Beyond Iraq, beyond Afghanistan: the Ten Practices of Just Peacemaking
1. Support nonviolent direct action.
Nonviolent direct action confronts injustice without making any act to return violence or brutality. It invites a transformed relationship of peace and justice. This was the method of Mohandas K. Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Cesar Chavez and many others. It is well-known and has been effective in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the USA. It can be extremely dangerous. [For thumbnail bios of people mentioned here, go to our page Heroes of Nonviolence.]
2. Take independent initiatives to reduce threat.
Independent initiatives are visible and verifiable actions, announced, explained and scheduled in advance, intended to decrease threat and distrust and to invite reciprocation. They do not leave the initiator weak. They do not wait on negotiation but hope to stimulate a relationship where negotiation becomes possible. They are absolutely carried out by the announced deadlines regardless of provocation by those who wish to upset the process, because to miss deadlines is to confirm distrust.
A well-known independent initiative was Nobel Peace Laureate
Mikhail Gorbachev’s April, 1985 unilateral suspension of the deployment of
Soviet intermediate-range SS-20 missiles in Europe. This was followed in
January 1986 by his proposal to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear weapons in
Europe and to eliminate all nuclear weapons by the year 2000. even though total elimination of nuclear weapons did not
come to pass, Gorbachev’s actions were key factors in ending the Cold War. A
more recent example is Israel’s withdrawal on schedule of settlements from
3. Use cooperative conflict resolution.
A key test of governments’ claims to be seeking peace is whether or not they engage in dialogue. The Camp David agreement between Egypt and Israel resulted in a peace treaty. By its refusal of discussions with North Korea and Iran and the snub of a public letter from Iran’s president, the US government has practically abandoned this practice.
4. Acknowledge responsibility for conflict and injustice.
Acknowledgements of responsibility do not undo damage. They defuse the rhetoric of blame and bitterness. Governments may “express regret,” but are far less likely to apologize. Apologies are seen as weakness, and more, as indicating the need to reevaluate, change course. In recent years, on the grand scale, Germany, Japan and the US have apologized for misdeeds. Apologies for individual actions are rare, but needed.
Martin Luther King, Jr in his sermon of
April 1967 at
5. Advance democracy, human rights and religious liberty.
Countries in which the views and welfare of its people may be freely expressed and honestly considered are unlikely to make war. In this statement, VFP NW Florida does not recommend a particular form of government. We stand against repression and intolerance. Where they occur, we stand against force as a means of redressing them.
6. Foster just and sustainable economic development.
A just peace requires an equitable world economy in which extreme differences in wealth, power and participation are overcome. Sustainable development means that the needs of today do not threaten the resources of tomorrow.
7. Work with emerging cooperative forces in the international system.
Communication and connections – non-governmental organizations, church, trade, internet, travel and international study, immigration and emigration, treaties and agreements – have transformed the world. There is not and will not be a world government, but world social networks are growing and strengthening. Experience shows that the more nations are involved in these activities, the less they make war.
8. Strengthen the United Nations and international efforts for cooperation and human rights.
Experience shows that the nations more engaged in the UN and regional organizations are less likely to engage in war. If you see the UN as a world government, which the US often does, you’re not getting it.
9. Reduce offensive weapons and weapons trade.
War is too destructive to be worth the price. Availability of offensive weapons too often strengthens the temptation to start war in the mistaken belief that retaliatory damages will be tolerable. Nuclear weapons are the ultimate in offensive weapons. VFP NW Florida opposes the use of violence, refusal to engage in conflict resolution, non-cooperation with the UN, refusal to consider independent initiatives, or economic retaliation in reduction of offensive weapons availability.
10. Encourage grassroots peacemaking groups and other voluntary associations.
In the world, experience has shown that many bottom-up non-violent
civil actions have produced peaceful participatory societies,
and that there is are few examples to the contrary. In our own beloved country,
strength is multiplied by work in public groups, ethical societies, church groups acting as groups and together.
Just Peacemaking was developed by a council of Christian ethicists,
American and international, based on the words of Jesus of