In a new book, reviewed in The Friend, entitled “Are we done fighting?  Building understanding in a world of hate and division”, the author, Matthew Legge, starts off by carefully defining ‘peace’ and ‘power’, writes the reviewer.  He makes a distinction between’power over’, ‘power with’ and ‘power within’.  In ‘power over’, one person dominates the other – subdues them.  In ‘power with’, one works within the community, respects the other and derives one’s power from co-operation.  ‘Power over’ has its basis in individualism and competition.  ‘Power within’ stresses community, joint effort and mutual understanding.

Peace that is based on ‘power over’ is a mere suppression of resistance, by violence if necessary.  It is fragile because agreement is not mutually achieved.  Peace through ‘power with’ is communally accepted.  It is also fragile but can be sustained.

Reubens Allegory of Peace may demonstrate something of what is written about here.