Final Exam - Terms/Concepts

Question 1

Positive Peace

Answer 1

Philosophical context:
* Peace Studies, Johan Galtung’s theory of peace

Meaning:
* Positive peace refers to the presence of justice, equality, and the fulfillment of human rights, not just the absence of war or violence.

Significance for social justice:
* It emphasizes that peace isn’t just about avoiding conflict—it’s about building fair systems. Positive peace demands the removal of structural inequalities and promotes long-term justice and human flourishing.

Question 2

Negative Peace

Answer 2

Philosophical context:
* Peace Studies, also from Galtung’s framework

Meaning:
* Negative peace is simply the absence of direct violence or war, without addressing deeper injustices or root causes of conflict.

Significance for social justice:
* It highlights how societies can be “at peace” on the surface while still being deeply unjust. This concept pushes activists to look beyond silence or calm and ask whether justice is truly being served.

Question 3

Structural Violence

Answer 3

Philosophical context:
* Critical theory, peace and conflict studies (again linked to Galtung)

Meaning:
* Structural violence refers to harm caused by unjust systems—like poverty, racism, or inequality—that limit people’s basic needs and potential.

Significance for social justice:
* It shifts the focus from individual actions to systemic ones. Understanding structural violence helps us address root causes of suffering, not just symptoms, making it essential for creating real social change.

Question 4

Universal Human Rights

Answer 4

Philosophical context:
* Enlightenment thought, liberal philosophy, post-WWII international law

Meaning:
* These are rights believed to belong to every person simply by being human—such as freedom of speech, the right to life, or protection from torture.

Significance for social justice:
* They form the moral and legal foundation for global justice movements. Recognizing universal human rights helps activists hold governments and institutions accountable for inequality and abuse.

Question 5

Environmental Justice

Answer 5

Philosophical context:
* Ecological ethics, critical race theory, environmentalism

Meaning:
* This concept links environmental issues with social inequality, showing how marginalized communities often suffer most from pollution and climate change.

Significance for social justice:
* It brings attention to how race, class, and power affect who bears environmental harm. Fighting for environmental justice means fighting for fair access to clean air, water, and land for all.

Question 6

Utilitarianism

Answer 6

Utilitarianism

Philosophical context:
* Ethics and political philosophy, especially Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill

Meaning:
* A moral theory that says the best action is the one that maximizes happiness or the “greatest good for the greatest number.”

Significance for social justice:
* While it aims to promote well-being, critics argue it can justify sacrificing the needs of minorities. Understanding utilitarianism helps evaluate whether social policies are truly fair—or just efficient.