Augustine and the tranquillitas ordinis : some reflections of politics and liberal democracy from De Civitate Dei, book XIX

Abstract

One of the critical problems in political theory lies in the inability to have a comprehensive definition of peace. This issue arises from two factors: one is historical and another is related to the practice of diplomacy. The historical factor implied the fact that, war or the threat of war, were tools which could maintain the status quo, alter the balance of powers, and weaken regional hegemons. Indeed, it was the preferred method for achieving such aims. Until the late 19th century, except for generals and commanders, most war victims remained nameless and without significant commemorations. The diplomatic factor, on the other hand, implied the recent notion that peace should be the prevailing principle in inter-state relations.