"Like Kant, Habermas believes peace is not simply the absence of war or conflict. It is the product of justice. It is the outcome of institutions and practices that respect human dignity, uphold the rule of law, and foster mutual recognition among citizens. In his writings on international law and global governance, Habermas argues that peace cannot be imposed from above or negotiated through power alone. It must emerge from a shared commitment to justice. This means that peace is not a precondition for justice—it is its consequence. Where justice is denied, peace is fragile. Where justice is upheld, peace becomes possible. This inversion of conventional wisdom—that peace leads to justice—is crucial. It reminds us that calls for reconciliation, harmony, or stability must not come at the expense of truth, accountability, or fairness. It warns us against the temptation to silence dissent in the name of unity or to overlook injustice in the name of social harmony. And it invites us to see peace not as a geopolitical arrangement but as a moral achievement."
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Academics from GermanyPhilosophers from GermanySociologists from GermanySystems scientistsCritical theory
Original Language: English
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Sources
Massimo Introvigne, "Habermas and Tai Ji Men: Peace as a Consequence of Justice", Bitter Winter (September 22, 2025)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Habermas
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Jürgen Habermas
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