New Paradigms of Peace Research : The Asia Pacific Context

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Revisiting the post fukushima nuclear age. 3. Non-violence: Gandhi and beyond. 4. Conflict transformation in the Asia-Pacific. Index. We are now observing a shift of the centre of gravity, or the “engines” of human activities, from the Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific. Industrial productions, political conflicts, and militarization in the Asia-Pacific draw global attentions. So are intellectual, academic activities. In the field of peace research theories and practices in this region have their own contributions. Gandhi’s legacies and inspirations in the fields of economic globalization, peace education, and constitution are as relevant and important as ever. The lessons of the disasters of 3/11 in Japan echo Gandhian concerns. Conflict transformations and reconciliations in the region such as ones between China and Japan pose a big challenge for us. Chapters of the present volume, authored by seasoned or spirited peace scholars in the Asia-Pacific, present new paradigms in peace research that nobody in the field can ignore. (jacket)