Peace in World History by Peter N. Stearns (review)

Peter N. Stearns has written scores of “big picture” histories during his remarkable career, and recently has contributed several thematic books to the extraordinary series which he himself edits, Routledge’s Themes in World History.¹ He initially became well known for writing World Civilizations: The Global Experience, now in its seventh edition. However, his latest book, Peace in World History, may well be the most relevant of all of his contributions. This pathfinding work is a welcome addition because peace has been underresearched, underemphasized, and underestimated in the writing of history. It is fitting that a historian of Stearns’s stature would tackle such an ambitious project.

Carefully researched and exquisitely written, this book makes for truly engaging reading. Its purpose is forthrightly stated in the introduction: “to contribute to an understanding of peace as an element of the historical experience of human beings … and to give readers a clear view of ways in which people across the world have understood and striven to achieve peace” (p. 2). The author laments “world historians have not treated peace kindly … in fact, it is a rare index in a major textbook that lists peace as a topic at all” (p. 1). To remedy this, Stearns has documented a plethora of examples of peace visions and peacemaking efforts that have lain hidden, neglected, and underappreciated.

The book’s ten chapters are arranged in chronological order, beginning with peace among primates, and then covering peace in hunter/gatherer bands, agricultural societies, early civilizations, the classical era (which includes the world’s religions), and, finally, peace in modern times. This periodization will resonate with world history professors and students familiar with standard world history texts, especially if students have previously taken a survey of world history. In each era peacemaking and security concerns are different due to differing social structures, leadership, and technologies. The author explains that the chronological order does not imply teleology: “It would be grandiose and misleading to see the contemporary scene as the culmination of a historical movement toward peace. But at many points in history … there have been attempts to learn from past tragedies and avoid mistakes that have thwarted peace before” (p. 7).

Each chapter contains an introduction, conclusion, up-to-date bibliography, and painstakingly researched historical information along with knowledge from various disciplines. The book weaves together long-term patterns and trends and documents captivating details. It contains stories about Utku Inuit and Semai children’s upbringings (anger wins no response); Lakota Indians’ peace goddess, Wohpe, and her peace pipe; modern-day transnational peace efforts, such as Henry Ford’s mission to mediate World War I in 1915; and the Seville Statement on Violence (1989).

In a particularly fascinating chapter, Stearns delves into the meanings of the Greek peace goddess, Irene; explores Homer’s regret over warfare in the Iliad; and explains how truces and peace treaties among warring Greek city-states evolved. A revealing comparison takes the measure of Pax Augusta (which later became Pax Romana) with Pax Sinica. Stearns elaborates on how Han leaders idealistically named their capital Chang’An (Perpetual Peace) and how Han diplomats conciliated enemies in expeditions to Central Asia, offering gifts of silk for pledges of harmony. In the Chinese language harmony is a rich concept. It means balance, diversity, peaceful coexistence, justice, good government, and truthful communication. These fundamentally Confucian and Taoist ideals are a shared heritage in Asia.

Stearns does not ignore warfare. He states that “Most people, at least in our society, think of history more in terms of war than peace” (p. 1). He assumes readers know that the conquering phase of empire was always marked by massacre, slaughter, subjugation of minorities, and plundering of goods and land.

The book shows that conceptions of peace and peace practices abounded in every type of human society and every epoch. From soaring spiritual beliefs to peace treaties, mediations, arbitrations, and ethical and legal codes, people struggled to get their relationships on a solid...