Peace as a Culturally Thick Concept: Different Conceptions of Peace and their Implications for Peace-Building

Abstract

This panel proposal draws on the growing body of literature on Non-Western or Global International Relations (Acharya & Buzan 2010), as well as the plurality of visions of peace (Shogimen & Spencer 2013). It argues that peace is a culturally « thick concept » (Williams 1985) and aims to explore the possible implications of its pluralism for peace-building. The theoretical dimension of the panel will address the normative features of peace in various philosophical, cultural or religious traditions – for instance, the definition of peace in Daoism or Hinduism shares many features with Galtung's conception of positive peace. The convergence or divergence of these approaches with classical visions of peace-building will be explored, as well as the possible implications of the encounter of different conceptions of peace within the same political system, especially during a peace-building or political transition process. Empirical developments will draw on field observations, studying how concrete cooperation practices, rooted in local cultures, have been used as conflict-resolution strategies, or how the reification of specific cultural or religious peace narratives has contributed to or impeded peace-building efforts.

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