This article explores ways to realize Johan Galtung's "positive peace" on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community.
Conventional structural realism focuses on the balance of power between nations and urges preparation for war for the sa...
This article explores ways to realize Johan Galtung's "positive peace" on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community.
Conventional structural realism focuses on the balance of power between nations and urges preparation for war for the sake of peace.
However, this article argues that a positive peace that does not even contemplate war can be achieved. The method is found in the
self-legislation of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's principle of popular sovereignty.
In any society, positive peace stems from establishing legitimate power within the polity, and legitimate power must be based on popular
sovereignty. Any political system can be peaceful only when its members participate based on "political equality" and legislate with their consent. In
other words, equality breeds peace. However, the current domestic politics lacks self-regulation, which creates flaws in legitimate power, and
these flaws create internal discontent, which is then expressed externally, increasing the risk of war.
On the Korean Peninsula, South and North Korea are passively positioned within the new strategic triangle of the US-China-Russia,
pitting South Korea-US-Japan against North Korea-China-Russia. This structure perpetuates confrontation and conflict between the two camps,
fueling preparations for war and solidifying the division of the Korean Peninsula. To resolve this division, legitimate power must be established
between South and North Korea, and to maintain peace in the international community, legitimate power must also be established
between nations. To maintain peace in international politics, citizens must elect peace-oriented leaders and monitor them in domestic politics. Since international politics is centered around national leaders, their peace-oriented will is crucial. Connecting this to Alexander Wendt's "constructivism," individuals must become democratic citizens and elect peace-oriented leaders, who will then be able to establish peace-oriented institutions and practices in the international community.
When citizens forget to elect peace-oriented leaders, those who practice kleptocracy can be elected, turning international politics into a
tragedy. Furthermore, citizens must cultivate a "culture of peace," not a "culture of war." If we desire peace, we must plant it.