TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Human Peace: Is...

Published on: Aug 4, 2007

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=15391

All over the world, people yearn for peace. But if we could just ask ourselves this hypothetical question; ‘Have we really done enough to achieve this?’ to me this answer lies just in front of our eyes. We are doing a lot to enhance human security, but with the wrong tools and methods. The reasons behind this answer is very clear, “You can not steal from a thief because he or she stole from you and call that justice”.

The way we are dealing with human security leaves a lot to be desired, it is noteworthy that humanity, since time immemorial, devised ways to resolve problems of insecurity in so many different ways. Others opt for tooth for tooth and tit for tat. Indeed, at times there is peace at long last as the weaker one eventually resolves to stop fighting while the stronger partner becomes victorious? Such victories, it is important to equally note, are never long lasting as the defeated parties usually strategize for a later attack and with a stronger resolve to win.

Such, sadly, is the status of the world peace currently. As we fight global terrorism, we have a situation where one feels that it is the strong that get justice and the weakest gets prejudice. With such a scenario, one could not help but wander what will happen if the weaker defeated party wakes up to find that they can control the world in all spheres, be it economy, weaponry, and many others. It could be a nightmare for many.

For peace to be long lasting there should be agreeable settlement for the disputes that started the wars in the first place. No one among the parties should feel that they forced into submission as this will lead to more and even vigorous response from the other party.

The fight against terrorism is the best thing to happen today in order that world security is resolved once and for all and for humanity top leave in one peace with one another. The problem is in the approach. It has been given a political approach where you are my friend and not a terrorist if you help my strategic goal despite having all the outfits of terrorism while at the same time; others become terrorists just by mere suspicion.

With this kind of approach, where we even go as far as promoting violence against those perceived to be terrorist states and individuals by going ahead and supply arms to our allies in the name of supporting peace will never solve anything. What we should ask ourselves is this, what if tomorrow they become our own enemies? Will we go back and take back the arms before they hit us hard? What if they shift allegiance towards those they are supposed to fight, what is our next move?

Look at those who are terrorists today, they were once allies of many developed nations during the cold war and some other regional wars such as the 1st Gulf War. A lot of arms and military training exchanged arms in these regions with the same people who now urge the world to fight these terrorist. Were we blinded then and now we can see? Are we blinded now and will see later? These are fundamental questions that we are supposed to answer in order that we have a long lasting peace which is for all but not for selected elite. So if I am asked; “Human Peace: Is it Totally Achievable?” my answer would be yes, but not unless we shift strategies.

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by erick ochieng otieno
Published on: Aug 4, 2007
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=15391


All over the world, people yearn for peace. But if we could just ask ourselves this hypothetical question; ‘Have we really done enough to achieve this?’ to me this answer lies just in front of our eyes. We are doing a lot to enhance human security, but with the wrong tools and methods. The reasons behind this answer is very clear, “You can not steal from a thief because he or she stole from you and call that justice”. The way we are dealing with human security leaves a lot to be desired, it is noteworthy that humanity, since time immemorial, devised ways to resolve problems of insecurity in so many different ways. Others opt for tooth for tooth and tit for tat. Indeed, at times there is peace at long last as the weaker one eventually resolves to stop fighting while the stronger partner becomes victorious? Such victories, it is important to equally note, are never long lasting as the defeated parties usually strategize for a later attack and with a stronger resolve to win. Such, sadly, is the status of the world peace currently. As we fight global terrorism, we have a situation where one feels that it is the strong that get justice and the weakest gets prejudice. With such a scenario, one could not help but wander what will happen if the weaker defeated party wakes up to find that they can control the world in all spheres, be it economy, weaponry, and many others. It could be a nightmare for many. For peace to be long lasting there should be agreeable settlement for the disputes that started the wars in the first place. No one among the parties should feel that they forced into submission as this will lead to more and even vigorous response from the other party. The fight against terrorism is the best thing to happen today in order that world security is resolved once and for all and for humanity top leave in one peace with one another. The problem is in the approach. It has been given a political approach where you are my friend and not a terrorist if you help my strategic goal despite having all the outfits of terrorism while at the same time; others become terrorists just by mere suspicion. With this kind of approach, where we even go as far as promoting violence against those perceived to be terrorist states and individuals by going ahead and supply arms to our allies in the name of supporting peace will never solve anything. What we should ask ourselves is this, what if tomorrow they become our own enemies? Will we go back and take back the arms before they hit us hard? What if they shift allegiance towards those they are supposed to fight, what is our next move? Look at those who are terrorists today, they were once allies of many developed nations during the cold war and some other regional wars such as the 1st Gulf War. A lot of arms and military training exchanged arms in these regions with the same people who now urge the world to fight these terrorist. Were we blinded then and now we can see? Are we blinded now and will see later? These are fundamental questions that we are supposed to answer in order that we have a long lasting peace which is for all but not for selected elite. So if I am asked; “Human Peace: Is it Totally Achievable?” my answer would be yes, but not unless we shift strategies. « return.