This book explores the close interconnection that exists between sociological and philosophical scholarship in relation to peace studies. Through an examination of the thought of nine leading philosophers and sociologists in their historical and geographical context, the author considers notions of nonviolent resistance, pacifism and reverse strike, as well as violence theories of conflict, theories of conflict resolution, the problem of war, and political transitions towards democratization. Engaging with the work of Thoreau, Gandhi, Ghaffar Khan, Capitini, Dolci, Bobbio, Galtung, Sharp and Weil, and considering the institutionalisation of peace research, this volume will appeal to scholars and students of sociology, politics and philosophy with interest in peace and security studies, and conflict.

Romina Gurashi is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy and the co-author of Historic and Sociologic Reasons for the Transformation of Abkhazia's Ethnic Conflict and From Intractability to Appeasement: A Federal perspective for the Abkhaz-Georgian Conflict.

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. On Civil Disobedience and Nonviolence

2. The European Pathway to Peace

3. The Origins of Academic Peace Research

4. The Sociology of Peace Research by Johan Galtung

5. The Nonviolent Strategy of Gene Sharp

Conclusion

Index