2017积极和平报告（英文版）-4mb

Positive Peace Report 2017 Summary

Core Content

The Positive Peace Report 2017 by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) introduces a new framework for understanding peace and societal development through the lens of systems thinking. It defines Positive Peace as the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies, emphasizing its role in fostering economic growth, resilience, and social inclusion. The report also introduces the Positive Peace Index (PPI), a quantitative tool that measures the eight Pillars of Positive Peace across 163 countries.

Main Points

• Positive Peace is not just the absence of violence, but the presence of conditions that promote peacefulness and societal well-being.
• It is a systemic and interdependent concept, requiring an understanding of how various social, economic, and political factors interact.
• The PPI includes 24 indicators grouped into eight Pillars, each statistically linked to the Global Peace Index (GPI), and provides a measurable framework for assessing peace.
• The report highlights that Positive Peace can be a facilitator for societal adaptation and resilience, especially in the face of internal and external shocks.
• Systems thinking is crucial for understanding how societies evolve and how peace can be nurtured or undermined.

Key Findings

• Global Improvement: Positive Peace has improved by 1.86% over the past decade.
• Plateauing since 2013: The improvement has stalled due to deteriorations in several key areas: Sound Business Environment, Free Flow of Information, High Levels of Human Capital, and Acceptance of the Rights of Others.
• Regional Trends:
  • Russia and Eurasia, Asia-Pacific, and South Asia showed the largest improvements (4.7%, 3.3%, and 3.2% respectively).
  • MENA region lagged significantly, with major deteriorations in key Pillars.
• Country-Level Trends:
  • Top Improvers: Cote d'Ivoire, Georgia, Rwanda, Kyrgyz Republic, and Saudi Arabia.
  • Top Deteriorators: Central African Republic, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea, Greece, and Syria.
• Economic Impact: The global economic cost of dealing with violence in 2016 was $14 trillion, or 12.6% of the world GDP.
• Resilience and Peace: Countries with high Positive Peace are more resilient and less likely to experience political shocks or natural disaster-related deaths.
• Civil Resistance: Peaceful societies experience smaller, less violent civil resistance campaigns and are more likely to achieve their goals.
• National Intent: A new concept introduced in the report, National Intent, is a macro-level characteristic that influences peace transitions and alliances.

Policy Implications

• Systemic Change: IEP recommends two approaches to improving Positive Peace: focusing on the weakest Pillar or stimulating the entire system.
• Systems Thinking: Understanding systems thinking is essential for effective policy-making, as it recognizes the complexity and interdependence of peace-related factors.
• Interconnected Pillars: Corruption and governance are central to the success of other Pillars, such as High Levels of Human Capital and Free Flow of Information.
• SDGs and Peace: Positive Peace is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16, but two key Pillars—Low Levels of Corruption and Free Flow of Information—are underrepresented in the SDG framework.
• Workshops and Application: IEP has conducted workshops in countries like Libya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Mexico to build Positive Peace, demonstrating its practical application.

The Pillars of Positive Peace

1. Well-Functioning Government
   Ensures trust, political stability, and the rule of law.

2. Sound Business Environment
   Supports economic productivity and competitiveness.

3. Equitable Distribution of Resources
   Promotes fairness in access to education, health, and income.

4. Acceptance of the Rights of Others
   Reflects tolerance and respect for diversity, including gender equality and workers’ rights.

5. Good Relations with Neighbours
   Enhances regional integration and reduces internal conflict.

6. Free Flow of Information
   Encourages openness, informed decision-making, and civic engagement.

7. High Levels of Human Capital
   Highlights the importance of education and knowledge development.

8. Low Levels of Corruption
   Ensures efficient resource allocation and trust in institutions.

Conclusion

The report underscores the transformational potential of Positive Peace, not only in reducing violence but also in fostering economic and social development. It calls for a holistic, systems-based approach to peacebuilding, emphasizing the need for policy interventions that consider the interdependencies between different Pillars. The PPI serves as a valuable tool for monitoring and improving peace, and the concept of National Intent provides a new dimension for understanding peace transitions and international cooperation.

References

• Positive Peace is statistically linked to the absence of violence.
• GPI provides a baseline for measuring global peace.
• Systemic thinking is essential for understanding complex societal dynamics.
• Resilience is a key outcome of Positive Peace.
• National Intent is a macro-level factor influencing peace and development.

Appendices & Endnotes

The report includes appendices with detailed methodology and endnotes citing the sources of data and statistical analysis used to derive the findings. These sections provide further insight into the empirical basis of the Positive Peace framework.