On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Dr. Robert Johansen, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Peace Studies at Notre Dame University and founding faculty member of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, one of the world’s leading centers for the study of the causes of violent conflict and strategies for sustainable peace, presented his lecture on the State of International Peacebuilding in the Susquehanna Room in Myer Hall. The presentation was sponsored by the Elizabethtown College Alumni Peace Fellowship and Peace and Conflict Studies.
Accompanying this lecture was a slideshow presentation put together by Johansen titled “From War and Terror to Peace and Justice: A Realistic Possibility?” The first question Johansen posed was whether or not it is at all possible to move from war and terrorism to a dependable peace with greater justice. “It is possible if, and only if, we question our current sense of security,” Johansen said.
This sense of security, which people have become accustomed to, is known as Old Realism. Old Realism is essentially living in a state of relative anarchy. Johansen explained that it is best defined by the familiar phrase, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Ultimately, Old Realism is the sense of maximizing the power of the military in an attempt to gain peace through intimidation and violence rather than discussion or organization.
Johansen emphasized the current threat of military expansion and how the utility of military power has declined, noting the number of times excessive military action is used, such as military invasions and victories, and have a negative impact, bringing about such groups as ISIS and other known terrorist organizations. Focusing on the expansion of military power has also left non-state actors to possess a vastly increased capacity to harm, a prominent example being the recent terrorist attacks of 9/11. Johansen also noted how many new non-militaristic threats have arisen to pose dire security problems with diseases, environmental problems, economic calamity and poverty are the most prominent.
According to Johansen, Old Realism seeks to keep the world states independent while the world has never been less independent because of countries relying heavily upon one another for financial and political reasons. Old Realism sees security as a problem of balancing the military power of the world, but Johansen proposed the world look toward the idea of New Realism, which sees security as a problem of governance instead of military preparedness.
Johansen suggested his Six Guidelines for Sustainable Peace as one of the solutions to obtaining peace in a world dictated by Old Realism. The guidelines are as follows: lay groundwork on which peace can be constructed, focus on human beings and human rights, uphold the principle of reciprocity, emphasize equality, strengthen the rule of law and grow democratic global governance.
Johansen placed a large emphasis on the growth of democratic global governance, stating it is necessary for many reasons. He indicated its current inability to safely balance new technology, deal effectively with non-state actors, provide necessary governance and balance of the power system are permissive causes of wars.
“Even when all agree on a goal and have an equal interest in success of project, one cannot rely on others. When all parties agree on goal and have interest in binding others to rules agreed upon for success, one can rely on others,” Johansen said. In Johansen’s opinion, these six guidelines can create the path toward global understanding. With the guidelines the future can be one of peace and justice.
Currently, Johansen is conducting research on enhancing UN peacekeeping and enforcement through an institutional grant from the United States Institute of Peace. He is also conducting research on the role of non-governmental organizations in promoting compliance with international humanitarian law and the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court under a grant from the Aspen Institute.
Johansen’s lecture was a part of the College’s International Education Week, which offers a wide variety of programs to encourage students to become globally competent and successful through international education, awareness and engagement.
