Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Introduce the answer by giving justification of the quote followed by a counter-argument to address the following question.
• Give arguments to Violence and War as Instruments of Peace
• Highlight the Case for Non-Violence in Achieving Peace
• Provide a balanced conclusion.

Introduction:

Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote highlights the moral complexity of achieving peace through violence. In many cases, violent conflicts result in more destruction, leaving long-lasting scars on society.

• But, in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna initially seeks peace through dialogue but, when that fails, advises Arjuna to fight, emphasizing duty and justice.
• This reflects the dilemma between non-violence and the necessity of war when peace is no longer an option.

Body:

Violence and War as Instruments of Peace:

• Moral Justification of War: War may be justified when it serves to uphold justice, protect sovereignty, or defend human rights.
  • Aristotle’s Justice as the highest virtue supports war to defend justice, while John Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism justifies violence if it benefits the majority
  • Example: The NATO intervention in Kosovo (1999) was justified on humanitarian grounds, with the aim of stopping ethnic cleansing and atrocities by the Serbian regime.
• Defense of Sovereignty and National Security: War is morally justified when it is necessary to protect a nation’s sovereignty or defend against external aggression. It is seen as an act of self-preservation and protection of citizens.
  • John Locke's social contract theory argues that governments are formed to protect life, liberty, and property, and when these are threatened, war can be morally justified as a means of defense.
  • The 1962 India-China War and the 1965 India-Pakistan War both serve as significant examples where India was involved in war to defend its sovereignty and national security
• Defending International Norms and Law: War can be justified when it is necessary to defend international laws and norms, such as preventing the spread of terrorism or enforcing global peace agreements.
  • The Gulf War (1990-1991) was widely justified as an effort to restore international order by pushing back Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, thus protecting international law regarding territorial integrity.

However, even if war is undertaken with the intention of achieving peace, the unintended consequences often undermine this goal, leading to further suffering.

• The Vietnam War was intended to prevent the spread of communism but resulted in millions of deaths, environmental destruction, and deep social divisions.

Case for Non-Violence in Achieving Peace:

• Non-Violence as the Moral High Ground: Non-violence is the ethically superior way to resolve conflicts, focusing on moral transformation and fostering lasting peace.
  • Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March (1930) and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Civil Rights Movement successfully used non-violent civil disobedience to achieve social change.
• Justice and Fairness through Non-Violence: Non-violence ensures justice without causing harm, promoting a more sustainable and fair peace.
  • Mandela was among the first to advocate armed resistance to apartheid but later resorted to peaceful negotiation, emphasizing forgiveness and non-violent dialogue for national healing.
• Promotion of Moral Courage and Ethical Leadership: Leaders who embrace non-violence demonstrate greater moral courage and ethical leadership, showing a commitment to higher principles rather than resorting to force as a quick solution to problems.
  • The Dalai Lama's advocacy for peace and non-violence in the face of Chinese occupation in Tibet serves as an example of how peaceful resistance and moral leadership can garner international sympathy and support.

Conclusion:

Defensive violence is ethically justified to protect human rights or respond to aggression. John Rawls' Principle of Justice supports defensive force when justice is threatened. However, violence should be a last resort, as demonstrated by Indian intervention in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.