What is the Peace and Justice Studies Association?

Introduction The Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) is a non-profit organisation headquartered at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. It was created following increased interest in peace-building after the September 11th attacks in United States and it organises annual conferences, publishes papers and a magazine, and issues awards for peace-builders. Organisation Following increased academic interest… Read More

What are Peace Churches?

Introduction Peace churches are Christian churches, groups or communities advocating Christian pacifism or Biblical non-resistance. The term historic peace churches refers specifically only to three church groups among pacifist churches: In addition to the Schwarzenau Brethren and Mennonites, other Anabaptist Christian fellowships, such as the Hutterian Brethren, River Brethren, Apostolic Christian Church and Bruderhof teach… Read More

What is Meant by Invasion?

Introduction An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of combatants of one geopolitical entity aggressively enter territory owned by another such entity, generally with the objective of either: conquering; liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a territory; forcing the partition of a country; altering the established government or gaining concessions from… Read More

What is a Crime of Aggression?

Introduction A crime of aggression or crime against peace is the planning, initiation, or execution of a large-scale and serious act of aggression using state military force. The definition and scope of the crime is controversial. The Rome Statute contains an exhaustive list of acts of aggression that can give rise to individual criminal responsibility,… Read More

An Overview of Amnesty Law

Introduction An amnesty law is any legislative, constitutional or executive arrangement that retroactively exempts a select group of people, usually military leaders and government leaders, from criminal liability for the crimes that they committed. More specifically, in the ‘age of accountability’, amnesty laws have come to be considered as granting impunity for the violation of… Read More

What is a Private Defence Agency?

Introduction A private defence agency (PDA) is a theoretical enterprise which would provide personal protection and military defence services to individuals who would pay for its services. PDAs are advocated in anarcho-capitalism as a way of enforcing the system of private property. A PDA is distinguished from a private contractor employed by a state which… Read More