8/3/2019 How Do You Measure Peace? The Global Peace Index
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is consumed as a daily diet by millions where it clearly shapes
attitudes, approaches and
actions. The fact that we have created a culture of violence to
entertain ourselves maybe a symptom, but it is also almost
certainly a cause. Would these factors change the
rankings? Perhaps not, but they would bring some crucial issues
of peace to the table as
we look for a vision to direct the future of the planet and our
life together on it.
Ranking is a very modern, very western, temptation, satisfying
to both our
internal and public sense of progress and development. Yet there
are risks in filtering the
experience of peace/violence through a ranking system. Not the
least of which, is that itoversimplifies both the problems and the
potential solutions. The Global Peace Index has
achieved a great deal by bringing the issue of peace to this
level of prominence; for that
reason, however, it needs to be open to an ongoing revision in
the identification of thereality of peacefulness, as it emerges
from experiences at the grassroots as well in the
boardroom. Peace may be sustained in structures but it is most
often created through a
process of conflict transformation going against the grain of
embedded structures of
injustice. That kind of peace is a creative act of cultural
self-expressionoften made
against all odds. One can think of many examples of this, but
few are as inspiring as thatMairead Corrigan and her impact on the
troubles in Northern Ireland. That is a story
still worth telling, even if it doesnt appear here.
This is an enriching document and debate. I have only two
caveats: it isnt always
about growth economics; it cant always be captured by
indicators.
Oh, Canada? 14th down from 8th in 2007.
iEisler, Riane (July 26, 2007). "Dark underbelly of the world's
most 'peaceful' countries".
Christian Science Monitor.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0726/p09s01-coop.htm.
Retrieved 2007-08-09. As she notes, this skews the rankings for
many countries where
violence against women is tolerated.
Global Peace Index. 2010 METHODOLOGY, RESULTS & FINDINGS,
Institute for
Economics and Peace
Global Peace Index. 2010 Discussion Paper: Peace, Wealth and
Human Potential .
Institute for Economics and Peace.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0726/p09s01-coop.htmhttp://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0726/p09s01-coop.htmhttp://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0726/p09s01-coop.htmhttp://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0726/p09s01-coop.htm
