A Global Security System: An Alternative to War

by Kent Shifferd, David Swanson, Patrick Hiller

Resting on a convincing body of evidence that violence is not a necessary component of conflict among states and between states and non-state actors, World BEYOND War asserts that war itself can be ended. We humans have lived without war for most of our existence and most people live without war most of the time. Warfare arose about 10,000 years ago (only 5% of our existence as Homo Sapiens) and spawned a vicious cycle as peoples, fearing attack by militarized states, found it necessary to imitate them; and so began the cycle of violence that has culminated in the last 100 years in a condition of permawar. War now threatens to destroy civilization as weapons have become ever more destructive. However, in the last 150 years, revolutionary new knowledge and methods of nonviolent conflict management have been developing that lead us to assert that it is time to end warfare and that we can do so by mobilizing millions around a global effort. Here you will find the pillars of war which must be taken down so that the whole edifice of the War System can collapse, and here are the foundations of peace, already being laid, on which we will build a world where everyone will be safe. This book presents a comprehensive blueprint for peace rooted in three broad strategies for humanity to end 1) demilitarizing security, 2) managing conflicts without violence, and 3) creating a culture of peace. These are the interrelated components of our the frameworks, processes, tools and institutions necessary for dismantling the war machine and replacing it with a peace system that will provide a more assured common security. The 2018-19 Edition of AGSS was edited and updated by Tony Jenkins, PhD - Education Director, World BEYOND War; Managing Director, International Institute on Peace Education; Coordinator, Global Campaign for Peace Education; Adjunct Professor of Justice and Peace Studies at Georgetown and George Washington University.

154 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2015

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I am on the board of World Beyond War , as are the three primary authors of this book. This book is a project of World Beyond War--it outlines a blueprint for replacing our current security system which is based on militarism and violence with an alternative security system based on diplomacy, mediation/negotiation, and international rule of law. World Beyond War solicited input to our book since its publication, and we have incorporated that input in Edition 2 which will be released in September 2016.

World Beyond War seeks to abolish war completely, not just address the current war de jour. We believe it can be done, but will require a massive, coordinated, worldwide movement. Over 50,000 people from 135 countries have already signed the World Beyond War pledge.

We welcome criticism of, and input to, our publication, as well as your participation in creating a world beyond war. www.worldbeyondwar.org

[Thomas Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Online at https://worldbeyondwar.org

Mentions only in these six words "the corruption of governments by money." Silent on how to stop the military-industrial tail wagging the U.S. dog. (I read the 2016 edition.)

https://worldbeyondwar.org shows they're doing some activism.

The world is a seesaw: on that side is a box of rocks. On this side a box, and a lot of us adding sand a teaspoon at a time. Someday it'll tip. And everyone will say, "How did it happen so fast?"--Pete Seeger

[Samyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy on the non-violent resistance efforts, however, still insightful and worth reading.