War, Peace, and Human Security
Lt General Arjun Ray, PVSM, VSM (Retd)
02 October 2012
Introduction
1.
Discuss scenario on taking over command
incipient insurgency
mass
alienation.
2.
Alienation = Indifference. The opposite of love is not hate, its indifference. The
opposite of life is not death, its indifference.
3.
Launched Sadbhavna to win peace published my book after having waited 12
years to give peace a change after all, we were attempting something that had
not been done before.
4.
People often say that after retirement, Generals become advocates of peace. I
practiced peace when I was in command of forces in an area affected by
insurgency. Realized the futility of war and the need to have a higher purpose in
life.
Decline of Violence in History
5.
In his monumental book, The Better Angels of Nature, Steven Pinker argues
that,the most significant development in human history is the decline of
violence,which is at its lowest level today.
6.
Contrary to popular belief, the 20th century was not the most violent century in
history. In the ranking of death toll (mid 20th Century equivalent), the results are
startling:
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#1
An Lushan Revolt
8th Century
429,000,000
#2
Mongol Conquests
13th Century
278, 000,000
#3
Mideast Slave Trade
7-19th Century
132, 000,000
#9
2nd World War
20th century
55,000,000
#16
1st World War
20th century
15,000,000
* The Better Angels of Our Nature, Steven Pinker
My Beliefs
7.
Beliefs are assumptions, values, and principles derived from our life experiences.
Beliefs are not what you think; they are what you practice. Our world view, attitude
and behaviors are shaped by beliefs.
Man is innately good.I agree with Rousseau that man is born good but is
corrupted by society.Interestingly, one survey says that only
38 percent
Westerners believe that man is good.
Reverence for life is an ethical principle based on respect for all forms of life
humans, animals, and even plants.Those who believe in this principle, are
non-violent, they serve the poor and the suffering, and practise compassion
and forgiveness.
Human security.Lies at the core of national security.
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Gross National Happiness. Human development and sustainability can’t be
based exclusively on GDP. “GNP measures everything except that which
makes life worthwhile.” (Robert Kennedy)
Forgiveness(and atonement)is a value that brings durable peace and
conciliation in society. Forgiveness helps us to live with diversity. To forgive is
not to forget; but to resolve not to take revenge. The Truth and Reconciliation
Commission in South Africa after the collapse of apartheid is a living example.
As Mandela walked out a free man from Robben Island, journalists asked him
if he hated his perpetrators for what they had done to him. He replied, “Where
was the time to hate?” In a post-conflict situation, there are four options:
Option1: Genocide/revenge (Rwanda Hutus and Tutsis, Kosovo
and Bosnia).
Option 2: Nuremberg.
Option 3: Do nothing amnesty.
“Those who remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”
Option 4:TRC in South Africa.
Premise #1: Peace is Everybody’s Business
Concept of Governance
8.
Governance is not the sole responsibility of government. That is a idea that
belongs to the era of nation-states. In a flat, complex, and interconnected world,
governments can’t manage everything. The private and social sectors (media,
judiciary, armed forces, NGOs, associations, etc.), and even citizens, must share
the burden of governance.
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9.
In remote and under-developed areas, the armed forces can even“piggy-back” the
Administration.
We are Citizens first
10.
Most difficult part for the military and corporations to understand. The military
mind is Clausewitzian.
“The business of business is business.”(Milton Friedman). Such a market
culture is contradictory to citizenship.
Think global, act local.
We get our self-identity from the community.
It’s 1% that Start a Revolution
11.
Transformational leaders do not need 100% support to change society. History is
replete with examples where revolutions are started by 1%. Whether you want war
or peace or sustainability, you need just 1% to believe in it.
12.
Transformational leaders must focus on arousing the 1%. Like what Christ and the
12 Apostles did.
13.
Are you prepared to be the 1%?
Premise #2: Rise in Protests & Dissent
Era of Dissent / Protest
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14.
Because of globalization, un-sustainability of the planet, technology, and
empowerment of common persons, we are witnessing a rise in protests and
dissent. TIME Person of 2011 was The Protestor.
Horizontalism and Occupy Movements
15.
Derived from post Argentina 2001, Arab Spring, and Occupy Movements.
16.
Hierarchies constitute 1%and the 99% are voiceless. Very undemocratic.
17.
People have lost faith in traditional leadership (based on the concept of the heroic
leader). They now bypass hierarchy. Want to connect directly with the leader -
not through his representatives.
18.
Social media is being used effectively to (a) mobilize people, and (b) apply the
“emergency brakes.”
Political Power Does Not Come Out of the Barrel of a Gun
19.
Political problems cannot be solved by military means.
Compelling Ideas
20.
There are five compelling ideas to prevent conflict.
1. Role of armed forces: no longer to win wars; it’s to prevent war. This was not
easy for soldiers to understand. Deterrence by:
Nuclear Weapons
Diplomacy
Human Security
Border Development
Development
2. Human Security.
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3. Winning hearts and minds -a shibboleth
4. Womens’ empowermentand educationare the key to conflict-prevention.
New Thoughts on Leadership
1. Leadership is the ability to lead yourself first; then others.
2. Transformation begins with you, then 1%, and finally 20%.
3. Winning the hearts and minds is a shibboleth; you have to win the heart first.
4. The crisis of leadership: flawed education; rise in human consciousness and
diminishing spirituality.
5. Leadership and values have to be learnt like any other art and science. The 10,000
hour rule is applicable for leaders also.
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