Pacifism

I

Introduction

Pacifism, opposition to war and other violence, expressed either in an organized political movement or as an individual ideology. Pacifism varies from a form that is absolute and doctrinal to a relative and more practical form. Absolute pacifists are against all wars and against violence in any form whatsoever; relative pacifists are selective of the wars and violence they oppose. Most absolute pacifists stress the immorality of the taking of one person's life by another person. The philosophy of pacifism has been propounded throughout history on grounds of morality, divine will, or economic and social utility; the term itself, however, did not become popular until early in the 20th century.

II

Pacifist Goals

In attempting to prevent war, pacifists must achieve four principal goals. A climate of feeling favorable to peace must be established; the potential causes of conflict, inherent in such factors as economic competition, the quest for power, and fear of foreign domination, must be eliminated or minimized; means for the settlement of disputes must be provided, as in mediation, arbitration, and trial procedures; and, finally, ways must be found to ensure observance of the settlements that are made. Several distinctive approaches to achieving these goals have been advanced.

III

Absolute Pacifism

Members of some religious groups, such as the Mennonite Church and the Quakers, believe they can convert aggressors to peaceful ways by setting an example of loving, nonviolent behavior. This is the attitude expressed in the New Testament Sermon on the Mount, but it is much older than Christianity, permeating the teachings of Buddha, Confucius, and other Eastern philosophers. Absolute pacifism assumes both that its practitioners will be able to maintain moral courage when faced with aggression and provocation and that their opponents will be affected by a constant return of good for bad. Such pacifism has never been entirely successful, however. Although the early Christians maintained this attitude through several generations, their uncompromising opposition to the use of force disappeared after the church became allied with the Roman state in the 4th century. A contemporary proponent of absolute pacifism usually claims the status of conscientious objector when faced with military service.

IV

Relative Pacifism

Less absolute pacifists advocate other codes of behavior. Some pacifists bar the use of force and urge moral persuasion but also encourage passive resistance to achieve their goals. Two examples of this approach are the resistance offered to British rule in 20th-century India and the civil disobedience of American civil rights activists. Critics of this view contend that even passive resistance provokes frustration, resentment, and further oppression on the part of an aggressor.

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Many pacifists believe that peace can be maintained only by a readiness to use force in certain circumstances, usually characterized as defensive. One approach permits armed defense against attack, but not assistance to other nations being attacked. Proponents of the theory of collective security urge a defensive combination of peace-loving nations against violators of the peace. If such a policy is not to result merely in a system of rival alliances, it must be implemented by international machinery that is able not only to make settlements but to enforce them as well. Advocates of collective security accordingly support all international organizations such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the League of Nations, and the United Nations.

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