Pax Pacifica

Johan Galtung is the world's foremost thinker in peace studies. This remarkable collection of essays represents his response to the events of September 11 2001. It is a philosophical collection on terror, war and peace which engages with the key issues and obstacles we face in attempting to create peace around the world. Focusing in particular on the Pacific region, he presents a grounded assessment of the history of the regional power dynamics, and present prospects for peace. Topics covered include the hegemony of the USA; the European perspective; the US relationship with Japan and Asia; decolonization; and peace movements in the age of globalization. I never encounter the writings of Dr Johan Galtung without recalling what the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said of the true scholar, namely, that 'He is the world's eye. He is the world's heart.' -- Daisaku Ikeda, President, Soka Gakkai InternationalPREFACE SEPTEMBER 11 2001 1. What Happened Before September 11? US State Terrorism! 2. Terrorism and Retaliation 3. Religious Fundamentalism POWER IN THE PACIFIC 4. The USA, World Hegemony and Cold War II 5. Japan, Asia, USA: The Politics of Non-Reconciliation 6. The European Union: Perspectives, Prospectives PEACE IN THE PACIFIC 7. Towards a Pax Pacifica 8. Decolonization in the Pacific 9. Pearl Harbor Day 2001: Theories of War; Theories of Peace PEACE STUDIES 10. What is Peace Studies? 11. On the Epistemology and Methodology of Peace Studies 12. Peace Studies and Universities in the Age of Globalization THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE 13. The Three Global Classes, Three Ways of War; Three Ways of Peace 14. Globalization from Above and Globalization From Below 15. Peace Movements in the Age of Globalization: Tasks for Japanese NGOs and Youth DOES RELIGION HAVE AN ANSWER 16. On the Fruits Thou Shalt Know the Tree 17. There is Gentle Wisdom in Them All 18. That Little Brown Man in the Loincloth EPILOGUE