DI PIERLUIGI CONSORTI
ABSTRACT – The resurgence of war as a political tool has brought back to the forefront of public debate the issue of defensive war as a legitimate reaction to unjustified aggression. In this context, the concept of peace has undergone a qualitative fragmentation, with adjectives such as “positive peace,” “just peace,” and “durable peace.” However, this emphasis on peace’s qualities risks overshadowing its centrality as the opposite of war. Peace is a dynamic and permanent dimension that requires cooperation and non-violent conflict resolution. In this sense, defense is necessary, but not necessarily through the killing of people. This contribution explores the deep-seated issues and proposes a reflection on peace as a path to be taken, rather than a goal to be achieved. The complexity of current conflicts demands an interdisciplinary analysis and a deeper understanding of peace and war.
KEYWORDS – Peace – Conflict – War – Defense – International Relations