What is Peace?

Project Overview

Peace is one of the most frequently invoked yet least understood concepts in global discourse. Is peace simply the absence of war, or does it represent a deeper, more fundamental condition? This project seeks to explore the nature of peace directly—whether it exists as a stable reality, a social construct, or a dynamic equilibrium that must be continually maintained.

Why It Matters

Global instability and conflict persist despite decades of peacebuilding efforts. One key reason is the enduring lack of clarity about what peace truly is. Without a standardized understanding, efforts to create sustainable, peaceful societies are hampered by conflicting assumptions and fragmented approaches. Our work aims to provide a rigorous foundation for future research and practical intervention—one that recognizes peace as the optimal social condition for the flourishing and evolution of sentient beings.

Key Questions

Is peace purely the absence of conflict, or does it involve active conditions like justice and equity?
Can peace be measured objectively, or is it defined by subjective experiences?
Is peace inherently fragile, or can it become a stable, self-sustaining reality?
How do cultural, economic, and political structures influence our understanding of peace?

Get Involved

We invite researchers, practitioners, and partners to join our investigation into the nature of peace. Whether you’re interested in contributing to our interdisciplinary research, applying these insights in policy contexts, or fostering dialogue at the community level, your engagement can help redefine peace for a more just and sustainable future.

By directing our attention straight at the question “What is Peace?”, we strive to illuminate the underlying principles that will guide effective peacebuilding and transformative policy for generations to come.

Reframing the Ontology of Peace Studies

Anders Reagan | May 2023, Peace and Conflict Studies Journal

This paper examines longstanding ambiguities surrounding the concept of peace. It proposes a new framework for conceptualizing and operationalizing peace, helping policymakers define and measure it more effectively. By offering a fresh lens on what peace truly is—and isn’t—this research has the potential to reshape how we design and implement peacebuilding initiatives worldwide.

Research Approach

Our investigation is rooted in rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry and essentialist analysis. We begin by critically reviewing the extensive academic debates surrounding the definition of peace, noting that, despite diverse conceptualizations, there is a fundamental consensus: all definitions of peace ultimately relate to the social welfare of sentient entities. From this insight, we have developed a standardized framework that:

Critically Assesses Existing Discourse:
We systematically examine seminal works and contemporary debates to identify persistent conceptual ambiguities and common themes within peace studies.
Employs an Essentialist Lens:
We probe for the core, defining features of peace—arguing that its true essence lies in the conditions that foster the well-being and evolution of sentience.
Establishes a Measurable Ontology:
Our framework transforms peace from an abstract ideal into a quantifiable condition, providing clear criteria for evaluating whether social interactions promote or hinder the optimal evolution of sentient beings.

Potential Impact

By elevating our understanding of peace through rigorous inquiry and standardization, we aim to:

Refine Policy and Practice:
Provide evidence-based insights that enhance the design and implementation of peacebuilding initiatives.
Unify Academic Discourse:
Bridge gaps within peace studies by establishing common, measurable criteria for evaluating social conditions.
Empower Communities:
Offer practical frameworks that enable local and global actors to create environments where all sentient beings can thrive.

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