Decolonising peace in the anthropocene: introduction towards an alternative understanding of peace and security

Abstract

The 27th General Conference of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA) was held in Ahmedabad in November 2018. Mahatma Gandhi’s political truth, sacrifice, nonviolent resistance, selfless service and cooperation were linked to the present peace and security concerns, especially on behalf of researchers from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The colonial burdens imposed on the Global South have increased through neoliberal globalisation of over-indebtedness to financial capitalists, the IMF and the World Bank. Multiple internal conflicts have emerged, often aggravated by promoted proxy wars, the illegal arms trade and violent armed struggles between neighbouring countries, often in the interests of industrialised nations. These complex processes have been aggravated during the new phase of Earth’s history, the Anthropocene, with catastrophic climate extremes, where again the Global South is highly unprotected and has limited resources to adapt and protect its population.