ABSTRACT
Galtung uses creativity as another word for imagination. Creativity, like the spirit of human relations, transcends, going beyond fixed position. States cooperate creatively when trading across gaps of distrust and even paranoia. Their concern for security is legitimate, but answers in terms of police and military, using violence and the threat thereof to dominate what might otherwise be possible. The USA and Russia as examples, one good on individual freedom to innovate and practice, the other on divesting itself of an empire almost without violence—are both weak where the other is strong. It takes courage for them, as also for China and India, to admit shortcomings, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility. Thinking beyond the 20th century dichotomy of left–right, and now, the EU, for or against EURASIA is needed. Russia and China are ready and so is trade. Cooperation through exchange for mutual and equal benefit can be expanded beyond economic goods supplied and demanded. Negative and positive peace may be helpful concepts for explaining this. The world would benefit from a skills market where good could meet with good, not only bad meeting with bad via traditional modes of competition, conflict, and deterrence.
