Abstract

One may choose a broad or a narrow concept of peace. Here, the narrow concept of peace as the absence of war is advocated. On the one hand, the risk of war results from the anarchical order of power or the resulting security dilemma. Its prominent solution is “peace by strength” or “security by superiority”. Unfortunately, this reinforces the dilemma instead of overcoming it. That is why great power politics tends to be a tragedy. On the other hand, territorial delimitation or border issues play a major role. Because of rising economic development, the loss of strength gradient has lost some of its importance. Waging war against distant adversaries has become ever easier. But capitalist economic development and globalization can also contribute to pacification. There is something like a capitalist peace which depends on free trade, the avoidance of state-owned enterprises, and the avoidance of protectionism. Moreover, capitalism promotes prosperity and democracy which pacifies relations between democracies.