



Sen’s introductory essay to Peace and Democratic Society is similar to his work on poverty and famine in that it deals with a matter—the eruption of violence in society—of very great urgency. [...] The Commonwealth report does not definitively solve the question of "Why violence in democracy?” Nevertheless, [it] does illustrate how an approach to violence in democracy can be fashioned without relying on dangerous over-simplifications. It offers a way forward without rushing to answers. [...] Sen’s essay—and the report that it accompanies—is well worth the reading.



IMPACT : The Journal of the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning

—Neal Leavitt,, 1.2 (Summer 2012): 33-35





Recent acts of terrorism and the current unrest in the Middle East remind us how important it is to understand the relationship between violence, peace and democracy. In a challenging and insightful essay, Amartya Sen explores ideas around 'organised violence' (such as war, genocide and terrorism) and violence against the individual. Highlighting the inadequacies of some of the widely accepted explanations for violence—including the idea that the world is experiencing a 'clash of civilisations'—Sen makes a plea for a global, multilateral debate on the causes of conflict, and an understanding of the multiple identities of the individuals involved.



The introductory essay draws on the findings of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding, which was chaired by Sen, and established to promote mutual communication and understanding among all faiths and communities in the Commonwealth. Its timely report, "Civil Paths to Peace", suggests that governments, media and educators — indeed, everyone — must take the time to understand the complexities around violent behaviour and its causes, without prejudging what these might be.



Peace and Democratic Society

Edited by Amartya Sen | June 2011

155 | 6.14" x 9.21" (234 x 156 mm)



ISBN Paperback: 9781906924393

ISBN Hardback: 978190692409

ISBN Digital (PDF): 9781906924416

ISBN Digital ebook (epub): 9781906924485

ISBN Digital ebook (mobi): 9781906924492

DOI: 10.11647/OBP.0014

BIC subject codes: JPA (Political science and theory), JPV (Political control and freedoms)



Edited by Amartya Sen | June 2011155 | 6.14" x 9.21" (234 x 156 mm) Open Reports Series , vol. 1 | ISSN: 2399-6668 (Print); 2399-6676 (Online)ISBN Paperback: 9781906924393ISBN Hardback: 978190692409ISBN Digital (PDF): 9781906924416ISBN Digital ebook (epub): 9781906924485ISBN Digital ebook (mobi): 9781906924492DOI: 10.11647/OBP.0014BIC subject codes: JPA (Political science and theory), JPV (Political control and freedoms)

You may also be interested in: