By: Alecia Hodges

July 18, 2024

Peace after violence, both as a notion and a political tool, is considered a significant, often positive, historical precedent. Yet, we do not fully consider the scope of peace and why it should be consistently chosen above its many options.

Throughout history, not only have large international conflicts been settled by peace treaties and war reparations, but smaller-scale national tensions have also been resolved based on order and peacetime. Moreover, these instances can be followed by great economic expansion, social development, and cultural advances within societies. The Treaty of Paris allowed for American independence to formally be recognized, which led to the subsequent development of the United States as a nation. The end of World War II, and the formation of the United Nations marked the beginning of decades of international peace and security in the West. Despite the evident benefits of peace, some contemporary perspectives often underestimate its power as a strategic tool to promote growth and minimize suffering.

Notably, many also fail to recognize the necessary step of healing after times of conflict, even once treaties are signed and crimes against humanity are abolished, there remains even more peace to be made, which often involves both accountability and action. A true understanding of what peace means in practice involves deeply considering the underlying conflicts that would necessitate it. After all, mere band-aids usually "do not fix bullet holes.” Peace has to be more than ending a fight, it needs to involve truly treating the wounds that have resulted. In a time where so many refuse to champion war as justice, we must stop to consider just how dangerous a tendency to do so can become. The concept of peace is so much more than a hippie rejection of establishment, it is a tool of disengaging, strategic non-violence, acceptance, and reparation—one that will be vital to the continued promotion of life and liberty both nationally and abroad.

This year, in the U.S., student protesters across the nation were consistently met with heavy police forces on college campuses. The threat of peace makes so many uncomfortable. How can efforts that oppose war, critique mass incarceration, and denounce insurrection be deemed as anything other than proof of a body politic that holds the ideals of freedom and places deep value on humanity? Peace may be the most dynamic and powerful tool that humans have at our disposal. Why are we still so hesitant to use it?

 The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.