Covid 19 and Peace: Impacts on Positive Peace
Positive Peace is defined as the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies. It measures the level of socio-economic development of a society and gauges its resilience, prospects for economic development and its ability to resolve grievances without resorting to violence.
The Pillars of Positive Peace are best thought of as a self-reinforcing system that supports socio-economic development and peacefulness. In recognising the inter-dependency between all aspects of the socio-economy, it is not possible to isolate single causes for phenomena. Instead, systems thinking sees society as a whole, and each system has unique characteristics which determine their responses to inputs. The responses of countries, such as Zimbabwe or Canada to economic crises will be very different.
Positive Peace can also be used to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a national system. It also informs whether countries are at or near tipping points – certain states of the system around which the interrelationships between economic variables change in nature. The pandemic and economic crisis are likely to radically change the way some countries operate. The long-term responses will be shaped by Positive Peace but will also shape the Positive Peace landscape of the future. Focusing on the long-term initiatives which improve Positive Peace will create a more dynamic and prosperous social system, one that will be suited to face future shocks and one that allows human potential to flourish better.
The Institute of Economics and Peace has created a framework for the statistical analysis of Positive Peace and its eight Pillars, which embody aspects of social development:
Well-functioning Government – A well-functioning government delivers high-quality public and civil services, engenders trust and participation, demonstrates political stability and upholds the rule of law.
Sound Business Environment – This reflects the strength of economic conditions as well as the formal institutions that support the operation of the private sector.
Equitable Distribution of Resources – Peaceful countries tend to ensure equity in access to resources such as education, health and to a lesser extent, equity in income distribution.
Acceptance of the Rights of Others – Peaceful countries often have formal laws that guarantee basic human rights and freedoms, and the informal social and cultural norms that relate to citizens’ behaviour.
Good Relations with Neighbours – Peaceful relations with other countries are as important as good relations between groups within a country or local community. Countries with positive external relations are more peaceful and tend to be more politically stable, have better functioning governments, are regionally integrated and have lower levels of organised internal conflict.
Free Flow of Information – Free and independent media disseminates information in a way that leads to greater knowledge and helps individuals, businesses and the civil society make better informed decisions. This leads to superior outcomes and more rational responses in times of crisis.
High Levels of Human Capital – A skilled human capital base reflects the extent to which societies educate citizens and promote the development of knowledge, thereby improving economic productivity, care for the young, political participation and social capital.
Low Levels of Corruption – In societies with high levels of corruption, resources are inefficiently allocated, often leading to a lack of funding for essential services and civil unrest. Low corruption can enhance confidence and trust in institutions.
Source: http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2020/06/COVID19-and-Peaceweb.pdf
Having read these above, sad to see that HK is walking on the terribly wrong path under the tyranny of PRC. In every of the above dimension, the indicators suggest rapid deterioration on positive peaceful social developments. Grossly because PRC is pushing an authoritarian mode of governance that is based on socio-political intolerance domestically while invoking aggressive expansionism internationally. A city that is chained up in the front panel of a giant derailed train.
