NCJ Number
45733
Journal
Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare Volume: 4 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (JANUARY-MARCH 1977) Pages: 611-625
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
PATTERNS OF NONVIOLENCE IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DOMAINS ARE DESCRIBED AND DEFENDED AS MORE EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A STRUCTURE OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
Abstract
VIOLENCE IS CONSIDERED THE PREDOMINANT METHOD OF DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND EFFORTS AT ESTABLISHING SOCIAL ORDER. EXAMPLES OF THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF VIOLENT METHODS ARE PRESENTED, AND ALTERNATIVE NONVIOLENT APPROACHES ARE PROPOSED. NONVIOLENT BEHAVIOR IS DEFINED AS THAT WHICH DOES NOT SERIOUSLY INJURE ANY PERSON IN BODY, MIND, OR SPIRIT. IMPLICATIONS OF THIS NONVIOLENT COMMITMENT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN INCLUDE UNILATERAL DISARMAMENT AND THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THE POSITIVE ENHANCEMENT OF THE LIFE OF EACH CITIZEN. NONVIOLENCE WOULD BE TAUGHT AS A DEFENSIVE MEASURE IN CASE OF VIOLENT ATTACK, MUCH AS VIOLENT MILITARY BEHAVIOR IS PRESENTLY TAUGHT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SOCIAL ORDER BE MAINTAINED BY DIRECTING INDIVIDUALS INTO POSITIVE MANIFESTATIONS OF BEHAVIOR RATHER THAN THROUGH RESTRAINING AND PUNISHING DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT ONLY A THOROUGH AND CONSISTENT APPLICATION OF NONVIOLENT BEHAVIOR IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPHERES HOLDS ANY HOPE FOR SECURITY AND SOCIAL WELFARE FOR HUMAN BEINGS. (RCB)