ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book reviews and assesses various theoretical understandings and helps formulate new interpretations of the changing world. It identifies five approaches to understanding causes of conflict and violence. The book includes organised violence such as war, violence against women, group conflict based on identity differences and dissatisfaction of basic needs, economic inequities and environmental degradation. Certain social and political settings operate in ways that aggravate economic and environmental sources of conflict. Peace theories cover various kinds of problems in inter-personal, inter-group and international relations. The book examines the integration of peace strategies at different levels of human society. The book illustrates the human life would not be improved without realising human rights, economic well-being, self-determination and ecological security. It looks at various strategies for achieving peace, and how these strategies have been applied to the real world.
