What is Peace?

The Mexico Research Center for Peace shares the vision of a great number of thinkers and institutions when it comes to understanding peace in a broader sense than just the absence of violence. In our vision, peace is composed of all political, economic, social, cultural, and psychological elements that promote cohesion, integration, and collaboration within societies. Everything that integrates societies is considered a peacebuilder. Everything that disintegrates societies is considered a peace disruptor. In the Mexico Research Center for Peace, we study both types of elements.

We also include in our work the definition of peace provided by the Institute for Economics & Peace. They divide peace into two dimensions: negative peace and positive peace. Negative peace is the absence of violence or fear of violence. Positive peace is the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies. The Institute for Economics & Peace’s framework for positive peace is based on eight factors, also called pillars, that not only sustain peace but support an environment where human potential flourishes. These eight pillars are linked to our work and vision of peace at the Mexico Research Center for Peace:

  • Well-functioning government.
  • Equitable distribution of resources.
  • Free flow of information.
  • Good relations with neighbors.
  • High levels of human capital.
  • Acceptance of the rights of others.
  • Low levels of corruption.
  • Sound business environment.