Johan Galtung Death and Obituary: The Visionary Who Invented Peace and Conflict Studies

On February 17, 2024, the world lost one of its most influential and visionary thinkers on peace and conflict. Johan Galtung, a Norwegian sociologist and the principal founder of the discipline of peace and conflict studies, passed away at the age of 93.

His legacy lives on in his numerous contributions to the theory and practice of peace, as well as in the countless people he inspired and mentored throughout his long and prolific career.

Who was Johan Galtung?

Johan Galtung was born in Oslo, Norway, on October 24, 1930. He experienced World War II in German-occupied Norway, and as a 12-year-old, he saw his father arrested by the Nazis. This sparked his interest and commitment to peace and justice. He chose to do 18 months of social service instead of his obligatory military service, and insisted that his work be related to peace.

He earned his PhD in mathematics and sociology at the University of Oslo, and moved to Columbia University in New York City, where he taught for five semesters. In 1959, he returned to Oslo and founded the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), the first academic institute with “peace” in its name. He also established the Journal of Peace Research in 1964, and helped create the International Peace Research Association.

In 1969, he was appointed to the world’s first chair in peace and conflict studies at the University of Oslo. He resigned his professorship in 1977 and held various positions at other universities around the world, including the University of Hawaii, the International Islamic University Malaysia, and the Galtung-Institut for Peace Theory and Peace Practice in Germany.

Galtung was a prolific writer and speaker, publishing over 150 books and over 1,500 articles on various topics related to peace and conflict. He also mediated in over 100 international conflicts, often successfully, and trained thousands of people in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. He received many awards and honors for his work, including the Right Livelihood Award in 1987, often called the “alternative Nobel Prize”.

What did Johan Galtung contribute to peace and conflict studies?

Galtung is widely regarded as the father of peace and conflict studies, as he developed many original and influential concepts and frameworks that shaped the field. Some of his key contributions include:

• The distinction between negative and positive peace. Negative peace is the absence of direct violence, such as war, killing, or physical harm. Positive peace is the presence of social justice, human rights, and harmony. Galtung argued that negative peace is not enough to achieve lasting peace, and that positive peace requires addressing the root causes of conflict and violence, such as inequality, oppression, and discrimination.
• The concept of peacebuilding. Peacebuilding is the process of creating the conditions for positive peace, by transforming the structures and relationships that generate and sustain conflict. Galtung identified three types of peace strategies: peacekeeping, which aims to prevent or stop direct violence; peacemaking, which aims to resolve or manage the conflict; and peacebuilding, which aims to heal and reconcile the parties and build a new and peaceful reality.
• The concept of conflict transformation. Conflict transformation is the idea that conflict is not necessarily bad or undesirable, but rather an opportunity for positive change and growth. Galtung proposed that conflict can be transformed by peaceful means, through dialogue, negotiation, mediation, and nonviolence. He also developed the Transcend method, a model of conflict mediation that seeks to find creative and mutually beneficial solutions that go beyond the interests and positions of the parties.
• The theory of structural violence. Structural violence is the indirect and invisible violence that is caused by social structures and systems that harm or disadvantage certain groups of people, such as poverty, racism, sexism, or colonialism. Galtung argued that structural violence is often more deadly and widespread than direct violence, and that it needs to be exposed and challenged in order to achieve positive peace.
• The theory of cultural violence. Cultural violence is the symbolic and ideological violence that legitimizes and justifies direct or structural violence, such as religion, art, media, or education. Galtung claimed that cultural violence can influence people’s perceptions and attitudes towards violence, and make them accept or support it as natural or inevitable. He advocated for promoting a culture of peace, based on values of respect, tolerance, and cooperation.

Why is Johan’s legacy important?

Johan Galtung’s legacy is important for several reasons. First, he was a pioneer and innovator in the field of peace and conflict studies, and his ideas and methods have been widely used and applied by scholars, practitioners, and activists around the world. His work has advanced the scientific and practical understanding of peace and conflict, and has contributed to the prevention and resolution of many conflicts.

Second, he was a role model and mentor for many people who share his vision and passion for peace. He inspired and trained generations of peace researchers and peace workers, and he created and supported many institutions and networks that promote peace education and peace action. He also engaged with various audiences and stakeholders, from grassroots to governments, and advocated for peace and justice at local, national, and global levels.

Saddened to learn of the demise of Prof Johan Galtung. Condolences to his family & the academic fraternity!
Johan was an eminent sociologist who contributed a lot to the discipline of peace & conflict studies. He was also the founder of @PRIOresearch. RIP! pic.twitter.com/jdusI3xKVN

— Nuur Mohamud Sheekh (@NuursViews) February 18, 2024

Third, he was a visionary and a prophet, who foresaw and warned about many of the challenges and dangers that humanity faces today, such as climate change, nuclear war, terrorism, or pandemics. He also proposed and envisioned many of the solutions and opportunities that humanity needs today, such as a global democratic federation, a life-sustaining economy, a culture of peace, or a dialogue of civilizations.

How can we honor Galtung’s memory?

There are many ways to honor Johan Galtung’s memory and continue his legacy. Here are some suggestions:

• Read and learn from his books and articles, and apply his concepts and frameworks to analyze and transform the conflicts and violence that we encounter in our lives and in the world.
• Practice and promote peacebuilding and conflict transformation, by using peaceful and creative methods to address and resolve the conflicts that we are involved in or affected by, and by supporting the efforts of others who do the same.
• Challenge and change the structures and cultures of violence, by exposing and resisting the social and systemic injustices and oppressions that cause harm and suffering to people and the planet, and by creating and supporting alternative and positive structures and cultures of peace.
• Celebrate and cultivate the diversity and unity of humanity, by respecting and appreciating the different identities, perspectives, and values of people and groups, and by fostering dialogue and cooperation among them for the common good.
• Dream and work for a better and peaceful world, by imagining and envisioning the future that we want and need, and by taking action and joining forces with others who share our vision and passion.