Peace in politics is both the absence of violence and war, and the presence of social justice. The absence of violence is understood as negative peace, while positive peace is achieved when there is equality and social justice for all members of society.[1] Other characteristics that are associated with positive peace are harmony, equilibrium, and tranquillity. Ultimately, the highest goal is to achieve a peace that is sustainable and will last long-term. After negative peace, achieving positive peace is the next step on the path to sustainable peace. 

Defining peace in politics can be complicated because peace has a different meaning to everyone. All politicians have a different understanding of what peace means to them. The definitions above help to understand peace and guide the movement toward positive peace and social justice, where all members have equal opportunities and access to services and resources.

Just as definitions of peace vary per person, there are different understandings of what social justice is and how to achieve it. For example, capitalism values economic freedom and individual liberty, but this is often accompanied by mass poverty and homelessness. Socialists might sacrifice individual liberties for the social and economic security of the collective.[2] These approaches have different benefits and disadvantages; there is no single right answer to how to achieve social justice, but striving for social justice is crucial for sustainable peace.

Peace in politics is interconnected with everyday peace, a peace that members of society experience in their everyday lives. Living peacefully within a community is only possible when the community itself is at peace. Including social cohesion in the definition of peace in politics is important because social cohesion is vital for members of society to experience peace in their everyday lives. Peace can only be sustainable if it is present in all levels of society.

The path towards sustainable peace is a collaboration between politicians and members of society. With their control of military operations and armed groups, political institutions have a primary role in achieving negative peace. To achieve positive peace, political organisations carry the responsibility to create political institutions and services that offer equal opportunities to all members of society, and to foster a social climate that encourages non-violent conflict resolution. This political stability provides the environment members of society need to live according to the values of acceptance and respect, which in turn will help to shape a peaceful society. “Only by ensuring the security, safety, and well-being of other people can we hope to secure our own security, safety, and well-being.”[3]