The Will to achieve Peace: Do we have it? (Part 2)

“Will”

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most complex and enduring geopolitical struggles of our time. It has resisted easy solutions for decades, involving deep-seated issues of identity, land, and dignity. A cocktail of history, religion, and politics has led to a kaleidoscopic array of perspectives on the path to peace, a term that has, as you may have noticed, often lost its meaning amid the cacophony of voices.

The elusive “Will.” No, it’s not just someone’s name, nor is it a legal document divvying up Aunt Martha’s antique spoons. In the realm of philosophy, psychology, and everyday lingo, “will” refers to the capacity to make choices and act in accordance with one’s desires or intentions. Think of it as the internal engine that propels us to act, the bridge between thought and deed.

In its simplest form, will is the driving force of decision-making, the “Yes, let’s do this” after the “Should we, could we?” It’s the resolve that turns aspiration into action, the grit that keeps you jogging even when your legs feel like lead. When people talk about “free will,” they’re diving into the age-old debate about how much control we really have over our choices, given the influences of genetics, environment, and other external factors.

So when we talk about the “Will to Peace,” we’re essentially discussing the collective motivation and commitment to work towards a peaceful resolution. It’s the shared resolve that transforms the abstract idea of peace into a tangible reality. In a nutshell, “will” is the mental fuel that powers the engine of action.

The Will to Peace—sounds like something that could be etched in ancient tablets or inscribed in the halls of a mythical academy, doesn’t it? Yet, for all its gravitas, the concept boils down to a fundamentally human challenge: How do we inspire collective intent toward such a lofty goal?

First and foremost, it’s worth saying this—there is no magic wand, no secret formula, no cheat code that can universally ignite the will to peace across any society, let alone a region as intricate and multifaceted as the Middle East. However, there are strategies, or shall we say, keystones, that can serve as pillars for building this collective will.

1. Education: If knowledge is power, then education is the crucible in which peace can be forged. Teach history, yes, but let’s go beyond dates and battles. Let’s include lessons on empathy, cooperation, and the true stories of ordinary people affected by conflict. Let’s inspire future leaders who are as savvy in diplomacy as they are in calculus.
2. Media Responsibility: Media shapes perceptions. A responsible media can help by portraying a balanced narrative that humanizes all sides involved in a conflict instead of feeding into the cycle of demonization and retaliation.
3. Grassroots Initiatives: Often, peace doesn’t begin in the corridors of power but in community centers, places of worship, and living rooms. Initiatives that bring together people from different backgrounds for dialogue and collaborative projects can help erode entrenched stereotypes.
4. Economic Incentives: People who have something to lose are less likely to engage in destructive behavior. Economic development, job creation, and stable markets can serve as powerful motivators for peace. No one wants to bomb the place that’s employing their brother, sister, neighbor, or friend.
5. Diplomatic Innovation: Diplomacy shouldn’t be left to diplomats alone. New actors, from NGOs to business leaders, can bring fresh perspectives to peace processes, making them more dynamic and responsive to the needs and aspirations of everyday people.
6. Justice and Reconciliation: Long-lasting peace isn’t possible without justice. Mechanisms for accountability, reparations, and reconciliation must be part of any serious peace initiative.
7. Inclusion: Peace negotiations often involve elites talking to elites. For a sustainable peace, the voices of marginalized groups—including women, minorities, and youth—need to be heard. Their inclusion makes peace agreements 35% more likely to last at least 15 years.
8. Showcase Success Stories: Sometimes the will to peace can be sparked simply by showing that peace is possible. Highlighting instances where former enemies have successfully reconciled can serve as a powerful inspiration.
9. Leadership: Lastly, none of this can happen without courageous leaders willing to buck the trend, face down critics, and risk their reputations for the sake of peace. But remember, leaders don’t just exist at the top; they’re in every community, every organization, possibly even reading this very piece.

Creating the will for peace is akin to lighting a fire in a damp forest. The conditions might not be ideal, but with the right tools, persistence, and a spark—ah, that elusive spark—you can ignite a flame. And flames catch; they spread, especially when fanned by the winds of collective will.

In the end, peace isn’t something that can be decreed from on high; it’s something that grows from the ground up when enough people decide that the status quo is no longer acceptable. So, if you’re wondering what you can do to contribute to this Herculean task, remember: be that spark. Because once the will for peace takes hold, the possibilities are endless, even in places where hope has long been in short supply.

This is no small job: This will take generations, but we need to find the Will that will pass through these generations so it is a lasting concept.  The key to this being maintained is a global agreement and global “Political Will.”

That is another element that we can not overlook.  Politicians and a term you might not be familiar with ‘Political Will.”

“Political Will”—a phrase that’s as enigmatic as it is influential. Picture this: it’s like the North Star for policymakers, the invisible hand in the chess game of governance, and yet it remains tantalizingly elusive, often just beyond the grasp of definition.

Political Will isn’t merely the ambition of an individual politician or leader. Instead, it encapsulates a blend of motivation, public opinion, resources, and timing, all aligned toward the achievement of a specific policy goal. Imagine a symphony orchestra: each musician skilled, each instrument fine-tuned, but it’s the conductor’s will that directs this potential into a harmonious performance. In the same way, political will serves to synchronize the often disparate elements of government, public opinion, and resources toward the achievement of specific objectives.

In more formal terms, political will refers to the determined commitment by politicians, policymakers, and other stakeholders to implement and sustain policies, programs, or changes to solve a particular issue or set of issues. It is often gauged by the allocation of time, capital, and resources, as well as by the willingness to make difficult or unpopular decisions to see the policy through.

Here’s where it gets a bit more nuanced. Political Will doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s influenced by public sentiment, media coverage, pressure groups, and even international actors. It’s fluid, adaptable, and sometimes frustratingly transient, shifting with public opinion and the global situation.

In contexts like conflict resolution or peace-building—say, in the Middle East—the concept of Political Will becomes especially pivotal. When we lament the “lack of political will,” we’re essentially talking about the absence of that collective commitment—both domestic and international—to prioritize and invest in peace as a long-term objective, rather than settling for short-term, often superficial, solutions.

So, the next time you hear that a certain policy wasn’t implemented due to a “lack of political will,” know that what’s really missing is the alchemy of leadership, public support, and the resources and timing needed to transform an idea into reality. It’s like having all the ingredients for a sumptuous meal but lacking the culinary expertise to make it happen. And sometimes, that’s the most critical missing piece of the puzzle.

How can we remove political will from the Peace Process?

The intricate dance of politics—where promises are plentiful and will, particularly the “Will to Peace,” can sometimes feel like a bargaining chip rather than a sacred commitment. It is an enigma, one that’s as old as the concept of governance itself: How do we separate a genuine will for peace from the theater of political campaigns and gamesmanship?

Firstly, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: peace is a potent political currency. Its promise can rally voters, change narratives, and uplift an entire campaign. But like any currency, its value can be inflated or devalued based on how it’s used—or misused.

1. Accountability Mechanisms: Transparency and accountability need to be enshrined into the political process. This could be anything from third-party assessments of campaign promises to citizen-led report cards on political performance, specifically in the realm of peace and conflict resolution.
2. Public Vigilance: Let’s empower the electorate. An informed and vigilant public can discern rhetorical flourishes from substantial commitments. Let’s invest in civic education that sharpens this discernment, equipping people to question, probe, and hold politicians accountable for their peace promises.
3. Media’s Role: Journalists, pundits, and commentators have a moral and social responsibility to dissect, question, and critically evaluate politicians’ claims and promises on peace. The Fourth Estate can serve as a balancer, ensuring that the will for peace isn’t trivialized into a mere slogan.
4. Legislative Safeguards: In some countries, major decisions like going to war require parliamentary approval. Could we also implement safeguards for peace agreements and initiatives, protecting them from being easily dismantled by successive governments for political gain?
5. Non-Partisan Peace Councils: One compelling idea is the creation of independent, non-partisan bodies that exist solely to evaluate, promote, and safeguard peace initiatives. Comprised of experts, these councils could serve as a stabilizing force, insulated from the fluctuations of political tides.
6. International Oversight: Sometimes the promise of peace is not just a domestic matter but a global one. International organizations can play a role in safeguarding commitments to peace, ensuring that they are not just abandoned when they are politically inconvenient.
7. Cultural Shift: At the heart of this is a need for a cultural shift, a collective decision to elevate the promise of peace above the mire of political gamesmanship. That’s a tall order, certainly. But monumental shifts start with a single step, a lone voice, an isolated demand for something better.
8. Celebrate Integrity: Last but not least, let’s celebrate those politicians who do keep their peace promises, who prioritize long-term stability over short-term gains. In an age where cynicism often reigns supreme, let’s not forget to acknowledge and reward integrity when we see it.

Political games are as old as politics itself. And while it’s a Sisyphean task to completely eliminate the influence of political maneuvering on something as sacred as the will for peace, it’s not naïve to aim for a landscape where peace is more than just a pawn in a political game. After all, if we aim for the stars—even if we miss—we’ll land among the ideals that we hold dear, ideals that make us not just better politicians but better citizens and better human beings.

Final Thought

As we witness the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the loss of human lives, it is imperative that we acknowledge our role in this process. We must stop allowing individuals to divide us and steer us away from the path toward peace. It is crucial that we all agree that peace means everyone deserves to live without fear of violence, and we must work together to make this a reality. No matter how challenging it may seem, we must remain committed to this noble cause.

The path to peace is indeed a collective journey, one that transcends national borders, religious affiliations, and political ideologies. Peace isn’t a zero-sum game; it’s not a commodity that can be hoarded by some and denied to others. It is a fundamental right—a state in which every individual can live without the shadow of violence darkening their days.

A call for unity is not just inspiring; it’s essential. Division is the kindling for conflict, and too often, we allow ourselves to be divided by those who would benefit from perpetuating a state of unrest. It’s far easier to wage war against an “other” than against a neighbor, a friend, or a human being with whom we share more similarities than differences.

The idea that “peace means everyone deserves to live without fear of violence” is a touchstone that can guide our actions both large and small, from the policies we support to the social norms we uphold. This definition transcends politics; it speaks to our shared humanity.

Moreover, let’s recognize that peace isn’t merely the absence of war or conflict. It’s the presence of justice, equity, and the freedom to live one’s life without the threat of persecution or violence. Achieving this will undoubtedly be a monumental task, requiring the engagement of not just politicians, but also everyday citizens, activists, scholars, and, most importantly, communities that are most affected by the conflict.

A clarion call to commitment, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, is the heartbeat of progress. Commitment fuels the long march towards betterment. And sometimes, the journey itself, the striving for a nobler future, enriches us as individuals and societies. Even when the odds are stacked against us—even when the mountain seems too high to climb—it’s the commitment to making the climb that elevates us.

We’re all architects of the society we live in. We shape it with our actions, our words, and, yes, our will. By channeling our collective will toward the goal of peace, we don’t just build a better world; we become better versions of ourselves.

So, let’s lay down our divisions and pick up the bricks and mortar of unity, empathy, and shared purpose.

For if peace is our house, then let us be its builders.