Is Nonviolence a Better Approach Towards Peace?

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a definition of peace and discusses two extreme approaches of achieving it. The author contrasts the writings and actions of the revolutionary leaders Mao Tse-tung and Che Guevara with the writings and beliefs of the Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. The writer concludes by expressing the belief that although there may be many roads to peace, the practice of nonviolence is the only way to a hate-free society.

From the Paper:

"Adding to the Dalai Lama's ideals, Martin Luther King, Jr. expresses his ideas in "Loving your enemies" as a more efficient way to achieve peace than through violence. King's idea is based on two interdependent categories: Hatred and love. Every conflict that we encounter is based on hatred toward others. Because "hate scars the soul and distorts the personality" (King, 37) and "returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars"(King, 37), King addresses to the people that they understand and forgive each other rather than hate each other."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barash, David and Charles Webel. Peace and Conflict Studies. New York: Sage Publications, 2002.
• Che Guevara, Ernesto. "General Principles of Guerrilla Warfare" in Guerilla Warfare. 1961. pp. 1-4. Available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/103406/Guerrilla-Warfare-By-Ernesto-Che-Guevara
• Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand. "Non-Violence in Peace and War", available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi#Nonviolence. 03.26.08
• Gandhi, M.K. Non-violent Resistance (Satyagraha). New York: Dover Publications Inc., 2001. Selections: "Satyagraha," "Truth," "Ahimsa or Love," and "Means and Ends"
• King Jr., Martin Luther. "Loving Your Enemies" in Strength to Love. pp. 34-41. New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1959.

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