ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a comprehensive map of a set of peace tools, ranging from control of military power, economic equity to ecological balance. These peace tools were invented to deal with a specific threat to peace interpreted in the historical and social context. The evolution of major theories and concepts in peace research has benefited from debates in international relations while sociology, anthropology, psychology, and other disciplinary areas have also made important contributions. The development of peace research reflects a complicated process, compounded by several concurrent scientific as well as social developments in scattered locations throughout the world. Peace research has also been influenced by social and political consciousness. The multi-disciplinary approach brought diverse methodological traditions to peace research. In theoretical traditions of peace research, hierarchical institutions and violent culture are more important explanatory variables for war and domination than evil human nature. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
