Peace is a general concept of social harmony and societal peace in the absence of war and hostility. In a broader social sense, peace is frequently used to signify a reduction in violence and conflict between humans or groups and a willingness to live by the stipulations agreed upon. It also indicates acceptance of principles such as negotiation, compromise, and peaceful resistance. Peace is often associated with different definitions, the one commonly associated with international law. The United Nations defines it as a state of total disarmament.
The three types of peace are structural, relational, and social peace. Structural peace exists when social norms are satisfied through laws, rules, and regulations. Relational peace exists when people live in harmony despite their differences. When people understand their differences and work together, they can build a sense of trust and respect. Finally, social peace refers to the ability of people to live together despite their differences in religion, race, sex, or culture.
Peace theory is an application of various socio-economic theories which emphasize the interdependence and interdependency of the human society. These theories attempt to explain the causes and patterns of war, support peace, and identify the necessary organizational structures for establishing peace. Peace research has revealed that humans are inherently dialectical and that they tend to choose the paths that contradict their more flexible philosophies. However, over time, various theories have been challenged and some have been replaced by newer theories, many of which attempt to explain why conflicts occur and how they can be prevented. As new theories emerge, peace studies will continue to provide understanding and frameworks for understanding human behavior and its relationship to peace.