Peaceweaving

What is it about?

This article makes the case that "positive peace" should be included as a key concept in public administration. It draws on the ideas of philosopher, community activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner to make the case. Addam's ideas of peace are summarized in the term peaceweaving. Negative peace or the absence of war dominates as a working definition of peace. Positive peace is an inclusive notion that takes into account societal norms like justice, care for the vulnerable, equity, freedom and a system that resolves conflicts without violence. Addams ideas are applied to policing, immigration and peacekeeping. Positive and negative peace are not mutually exclusive. Armed Forces that lead peacekeeping missions, however, have a well developed notion of negative peace. We argue that organizations should develop ambidexterity or the ability to work for both positive and negative peace.

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Why is it important?

We are the first to examine the notion of positive peace in the context of public administration. This idea supports and reinforces other key concepts like social equity and social justice. Jane Addams is an early feminist philosopher of peace. Historically, ideas of peace have been developed almost exclusively by men. This historical legacy should be corrected. This article begins to correct this historical blind spot. We hope others will find the notion of peaceweaving useful. This article compares Theodore Roosevelt and Jane Addams ideas of peace as a way to contrast positive and negative peace. Both won the Nobel Prize. These individuals provide a great springboard to introduce the notion of ambidexterity.

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