A Paradigm Shift to a Nonkilling World Future
an article by Bill Bhaneja

Is a nonkilling global society feasible? Professor Paige in his path-breaking book asks this simple yet profound question, but goes a step further to challenge his discipline, questioning, if a nonkilling global political science is achievable. On both counts, through insightful analysis and substantive evidence, his answer is a resounding "yes."

Glenn Paige, a political science professor at the University of Hawaii, writes from experience, having served in the Korean war. His use of the term "nonkilling" is very specific, grounded in the evidence-based approach of behavioral sciences. He shows that less than one percent of all homo sapiens have been killers of fellow humans. Why not then to train, people and nations globally to strengthen their resistance to kill?

His vision is for social science research to dedicate itself to a diagnosis of the pathology of lethality, and to discover both prescriptions and treatments that can be shared with all who seek to remove killing from global life.

He refers to medical science as a model. Through its emphasis on research and training on prevention, intervention, and post-traumatic transformation strategies, it has proven successful in producing both knowledge and practitioners for the moral interest of preservation of life. Paige considers that same commitment to non-lethality can be made applicable to social sciences.

Paige concludes that the time has come for a paradigm-shift in the discipline: "If tradition has taught that we must kill to be free, equal and secure -- the present teaches that unless we stop killing not only freedom and equality are in jeopardy but our very survival."

He is optimistic that this goal is reachable. The book is provocative and creative, a wonderful tonic for these troubled times.

Book details: Paige, Glenn D. , Nonkilling Global Political Science, Xlibris: Philadelphia, 2002, 239 pp., ISBN# Hardcover 0-7388-5744-0, Paperback 0 -7388-5745-9

This work can be also downloaded from: globalnonviolence.org.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Are nonkilling societies possible?
If yes, what should we be doing? If not, what will happen to us?

As a reader, you are invited to join in the discussion of this article based on any of the above question(s): just click on the question, read the previous comments and add a new reply. You may also enter a new discussion topic on this article - see bottom of this page.

Thematic forum(s) in which this article is being discussed:

NON-VIOLENCE

Latest reader comment:

I wanted to pass on some good news found in Christian Science Monitor, 1/12/07: "The number of conflicts in Africa has dropped to just five in 2005, from a peak of 16 in 2002."
Ann McLaughlin, Director, NGOabroad

This report was posted on July 14, 2004. The moderator is Tony.

If you wish to start a new discussion topic on this article, please copy the title of this article which is A Paradigm Shift to a Nonkilling World Future and its number which is 130 and enter this information along with your discussion question and a brief text on the new topic form.

A few stories are retained on the main listings if they are considered by readers to be a priority. If you have not already done so, please take the time to check a box below: should this article be considered as a priority?