About Book

This landmark article by Johan Galtung is considered the foundation of modern peace and conflict studies. It redefines violence beyond physical harm and introduces the concept of structural violence, referring to social systems that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. Galtung argues that violence exists whenever there is a gap between potential and actual human well-being, caused by unjust social, political, or economic structures. He distinguishes between: Direct violence (physical harm) Structural violence (systemic inequality) (Later expanded to include cultural violence) The article also introduces the crucial distinction between: Negative peace → absence of direct violence Positive peace → absence of structural violence This shift transformed peace research from simply studying war to analyzing deep-rooted causes of conflict, including inequality, injustice, and marginalizationStrengths: Foundational theory in peace and conflict studies (globally cited). Expands understanding of violence beyond physical acts. Provides a powerful analytical framework for studying inequality and conflict. Highly relevant for policy, education, and peacebuilding strategies. Influential across disciplines (sociology, IR, development studies). Limitations: Highly theoretical and abstract. Broad definition of violence may be challenging to operationalize empirically. Some critics argue it overextends the concept of violence.This article is extremely important for GRACE themes: ✔ Extremism Prevention: Explains how structural injustice, inequality, and marginalization can create grievances that contribute to radicalization. ✔ Peacebuilding: Introduces positive peace, emphasizing justice, equality, and inclusion—not just absence of war. ✔ Rehabilitation: Provides a framework to understand root causes behind violent behavior, useful for long-term reintegration strategies. 👉 This is a core theoretical base for all counter-extremism and peacebuilding work.