Peacebuilding: The Challenges of and Prospects for a Steady-state Society

Peace is not merely the state of not being at war. It is a state without violence, prejudice, or discrimination. Peacebuilding includes all the steps toward constructing such a state of affairs. On the other hand, a steady-state society is one that is attained when humanity accepts limits on the growth of its population and its economy. It is the culture of the so-called “slow lifestyle” where almost the entire population reaches a ripe old age, the natural environment is preserved as a functioning entity, and enhanced social wellbeing as well as sustainable growth are achieved. Even though humanity has lived through the agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, and the information revolution, we still keep going through cycles of war and conflict. Wails of grief uttered by women and children suffering in regions torn by war and afflicted by dioxin during the Viet Nam War are still heard today. Japan has now become the first country in the world to have an extreme aged population. It is becoming the first country to experience life in a steady-state society. I believe there are some perspectives and tips to be gained from Satoyama study - the study of nature as a pillar of culture – that could reveal substantive models for a Steady-state Society that is moving toward peacebuilding. Humanity now faces the challenge of creating new communities that are appropriate for the age of Eco-social welfare. To achieve this, we need to integrate the forces of science, nature and culture.