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Understanding Violence and Rethinking Security with two subthemes:
In the last quarter of the twentieth century, relationships between state and society began to transform. The depth and character of this process varied greatly, with many ebbs and flows. However, by the beginning of the 21st century, we felt confident enough to refer to a 'participatory turn'.Although the 'turn' has its strongest manifestation in the Western hemisphere, it resonates, perhaps more weakly, with dynamics in other parts of the world due to the accelerated global transmission of ideas. By 'participatory turn', we mean that political life is no longer exclusively structured and articulated by the state and political parties.
Spaces have opened up for agency within society, through organised collectivities, spontaneous social action and individual choice. Shifts in the relationships between author, artist, architect and audiences have also impacted on the arts, music, communications and the media. They are exemplified and reinforced in the World Wide Web, and its impact on voice and knowledge diffusion. Other shifts have taken place in the social realm, such as in gender, family and community relationships.
Connecting these political, cultural and social developments is a questioning of the meaning and practice of authority: the power and right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience. Meanwhile, linearity, orthodoxy and stability give way to complexity, creativity and movement; participation disturbs representation; inter-subjective communication becomes a major challenge and space and power are recognised as critical dimensions of human interaction.
The ICPS observes, records and analyses these dynamics. However, we go a little further. We see them as an opportunity. They do not in themselves suggest a particular direction of travel in human progress. Participation generates uncertainty, insecurity and backlash. Emergent social and political actors reflect the diverse and perverse proclivities of humanity. Some fear that expert knowledge may be devalued as more participate; others that expert knowledge excludes the multiple forms of knowledge which can help us solve problems.
Our aim, therefore, is to explore the potential links between these dynamics and the possibilities for 'peace'. Participation Studies are integral to Peace Studies. We try to qualify the meaning and practice of participation in relationship to the building of conditions for humanity to live without violence and capable of addressing the complex human and natural crises which are converging in the 21st century.
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