0 about the author

 
PRINCIPLE OF PEACE AS A TOOL FOR RECONCILIATION 
The concept of peace have been viewed and perceived by different school of thoughts. One 
thing that extant conception of peace has in common is that there is a state of affairs or condition 
in thought, nature and society that is characterized as peace. This condition is pristine, perfect, 
order and originality. It is a condition in which according to Rousseau, "all men are born free' and 
exist as "gentle savages' but subsequently social conditions put them 'everywhere in chains' Peace 
as a tool for reconciliation involves a process and activities that are directly or indirectly linked to 
increasing development and reducing conflict, both within specific societies and in the wider 
international community. An important concept of peace is the non-violent transformation of 
conflict. Non- violence, as a strategy to resist oppressive power relations and unjust structures. It 
is equated with passive resistance and non-resistance, and refusal to sanction violence as a means 
to eradicate causes of violence and other socio-economic and political inequalities. Non-violence 
is about struggles for freedom," and justice, the transformation of unjust and unequal power 
relation, and confrontation with repressive socio-political institutions. 
 
WAR AS A TOOL FOR RECONCILIATION 

---

35 
The principle of war as a tool for reconciliation could be traced back to the concept of the 
Just war theory.
The principle guiding the conduct of a Just war emphasizes the idea of restoration of peace 
which is the main motive of a Just war. So in St. Augustine's thinking, a war was limited by its 
purpose, its authority and its conduct.
He says: 
We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. 
. 
Be 
peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you vanquish those whom you war against, and 
bring them to the prosperity of peace. 
The development of the Just war theory in the 13th century formalized three criteria for a 
Just war which includes right authority (a sovereign government rather than individuals), just 
cause (to avenge wrongs or to restore what was unjustly seized) and right attention (the 
advancement of good or the avoidance of evil.