Key Idea: This topic is about what the words really mean. Before you can argue about war and peace, you have to see that peace, conflict, violence and non-violence are all contested — people define them differently, and the definition you pick shapes your whole argument. One idea ties it all together: {{Galtung|the peace theorist who split violence into direct/structural/cultural and peace into negative/positive}}'s frame.
🔑 The four key terms
| Term | Narrow meaning | Deeper meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Peace | no fighting (negative peace) | a just society with no structural violence (positive peace) |
| Conflict | open fighting (overt) | any clash of goals, even hidden (latent) |
| Violence | direct physical harm | also structural (unjust systems) & cultural (ideas that excuse it) |
| Non-violence | not fighting | active resistance without force — protest, civil disobedience |
🔺 Galtung ties it together
📚 The four micros at a glance
What each micro adds
- 4.1.1 Peace — Negative peace = no direct violence (a ceasefire). Positive peace = a just society where the CAUSES of conflict are gone. Real peace is positive peace.
- 4.1.2 Conflict — Conflict = a clash of goals; it is NOT always violent. Latent (hidden) vs overt (open). Conflict can even be constructive if handled well.
- 4.1.3 Violence — Direct (visible harm), structural (injustice built into society) and cultural (ideas that make violence look normal). Structural violence is a deep root of conflict.
- 4.1.4 Non-violence — Active resistance without force — protest, civil disobedience, non-cooperation. Its power is mass support and moral legitimacy; it has won independence, rights and democracy.
⚖️ The debates that come up
- Negative peace = just no violence
- Positive peace = justice too
- Judge: lasting peace is positive peace
- Wins legitimacy & broad support
- But some regimes crush it
- Judge: usually durable, depends on opponent
- Direct violence is visible
- Structural violence is hidden but deadly
- Judge: address structural roots for peace
Evaluate the view that peace means more than simply the absence of violence.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
The 15-mark markband (Paper 2)
Bands 1–6
Mostly descriptive; perspectives <strong>not identified</strong>.
avoid
Bands 7–9
Clear knowledge, but perspectives <strong>identified, not explored</strong>.
7–9
Bands 10–12
Well-supported argument; perspectives <strong>explored</strong>.
10–12
Bands 13–15
Balanced, compelling; perspectives <strong>explored AND evaluated</strong>.
13–15
Important: Treating the terms as simple and fixed. Examiners reward students who show the terms are <strong>contested</strong> — e.g. that 'peace' can mean a ceasefire OR a just society, and that <strong>structural violence</strong> is real violence even without anyone throwing a punch. Always define your terms and pick the deeper meaning.
Answer in your head first, then tap to reveal.
Negative peace vs positive peace? Negative peace = the absence of direct violence (a ceasefire). Positive peace = a just society where the causes of conflict, like structural violence, are removed.
What are Galtung's three types of violence? Direct (visible physical harm), structural (injustice built into how society is organised) and cultural (ideas and beliefs that make violence look normal or acceptable).
Is conflict always violent? No — conflict is a clash of goals or interests; it can be latent (hidden) or overt (open), and can be resolved peacefully or even be constructive.
Why is non-violence powerful? It is active resistance whose strength is mass participation and moral legitimacy; violence against peaceful protesters exposes a regime, and it has won independence, rights and democracy.
Why does structural violence matter for peace? Because it is a deep root of conflict — unjust systems harm people without direct force, so lasting (positive) peace requires removing structural violence, not just stopping the fighting.
Exam tips
- Always DEFINE the contested term and pick the deeper meaning.
- Use Galtung: direct/structural/cultural violence; negative/positive peace.
- Structural violence is real violence — name it.
- Non-violence is active resistance, not passivity.
- Judge: lasting peace = positive peace; move from negative → positive.