Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

conflicts can be resolved by the use of violence or not. War and peace represent thetwo extremes. The decisive factor is the degree to which violence exists: If a greatdeal of violence is present, it’s war. If non‐violence is the main characteristic, it’speace. Actual and structural violence on the left‐hand side are opposed by cooperationand integration on the right‐hand side.The point at which peace begins is contested. It implies the question “What does itactually mean when somebody says that there has been an end to violence?” Withinthe framework of this book, this question concerns the distinction between positiveand negative peace, and direct, structural and cultural violence. Johan Galtung’sframework on these issues is the most widely used today; it also serves as a referencein this book 5 . He distinguishes, for example, between positive and negative peace assummarized below:Negative peace… refers to the absence of war, fear, direct violence and conflict at individual,national, regional and international levels. It requires institutional reforms to preventacts of direct physical violence committed by individuals or groups. Negativeperception of a former enemy or conflicting party is neutralized or shifted after aviolent conflict is settled. In this scenario, there may be little or no hostility but theconflicting parties may be sceptical to engage in positive interactions that mightlead to building trust. During the period of negative peace, there is no emphasis ondealing with the causes of violence or conflict. Rather, it is limited to addressing themanifestation of factors that led and lead to violence.Positive peace… refers to the absence of indirect and structural violence, the absence of unjuststructures and unequal relationships; it refers to peace on different levels like beha -vioural, attitudes or structures. Positive peace is filled with positive contents suchas the restoration of relationships, the constructive resolution of conflict and thecreation of social systems that serve the needs of the whole population. Positive22 I . P E A C E