Università Roma Tre

For centuries humankind has desired peace and a peaceful resolution of conflicts; only in the last few centuries peace has been perceived as an attainable political objective. In this way, the idea of the abolition of war became conceivable, associations dedicated to peace arose (and pacifism was also considered as a kind of peace party) and international organisations were founded, with the aim of banning war and promoting peacekeeping operations.

The course offers a historical introduction to the theme of peace as one of the focal points of contemporary politics until the beginning of the 21st century. It is dedicated to the international history of peace ideas, peace movements and peace institutions.

The course aims to encourage students to think critically on the theme of war/peace in history, focusing on past centuries, but with an introduction to why, during Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern age, the desire for peace and the rejection of war never became a political objective.

By the end of the course, students will be able to better comprehend the main aspects of the peace/war debate and the importance and limitations of peace movements and peace institutions in the contemporary world. Furthermore, they will acquire an understanding of the main interpretations and methodologies proposed and used by scholars to analyze the history of peace.

The course is taught in English.

MAIN SUBJECTS:

1. The concept of peace; 2. Peace and historical research; 3. Antiquity: Ancient Eastern Civilizations, War and peace in the Bible, Ancient Greece, Rome. The Christian Tradition; 4. The Middle Ages: Islam, Christianity and holy war; the ‘just war’ theory; 5. The refusal of war: Christian approaches; 6. The refusal of war in the age of absolute Monarchies; 7. Enlightenment and peace projects; Rousseau; Kant; Revolutionary war and the birth of the ‘friends of peace’; 8. Conservatism, liberalism, radicalism, socialism and the peace issue; Moderates and radicals inside peace societies; 9. The age of militarism and pacifism (1870-1914); 10. The failure of peace and a new pacifism (1914-1918); 11. ‘No More Wars’ (1914-1931): Wilsonianism and the League of Nations; Gandhi and nonviolence; 12. Pacifism and Totalitarianism (1931-1945); 13. Peace and world federalism in the age of the Cold War; 14. Peace and Protest (1954-1978); 15. The Peacekeeping Years (1989-2001)

REQUIRED READINGS:
- David Cortright, Peace: A History of Movements and Ideas (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004).
- Michael Howard, War and the Liberal Conscience (London: Temple Smith, 1978) (or any later edition).
- Assigned readings (on Moodle)


REQUIRED WORK FOR NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS (ONLY FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDENTS)
• In English:
1. David Cortright, Peace: A History of Movements and Ideas (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004).
2. Michael Howard, War and the Liberal Conscience (London: Temple Smith, 1978) (or any later edition).
3. One book chosen among the recommended readings (the list will be available on Moodle)
4. Another book chosen among the recommended readings (the list will be available on Moodle)