Peacemaking criminology: etiology of crime or philosophy of life?

Abstract

Over the last two decades, peacemaking criminology has become an increasingly influential perspective in crime and justice. This alternative view of criminology offers a unique outlook on how the justice system should attempt to view and ultimately deal with crime and punishment. Simply put, the peacemaking perspective presents a comprehensive blueprint of how principles and values of peace can be applied and used as a foundation of justice in a given society. However, one question still remains regarding the applicability of peacemaking criminology: is peacemaking a viable criminological theory or is it a philosophy for living one's life by? The goal of this paper is to provide an informed interpretation of the peacemaking perspective. First, the background and historical context of peacemaking as a philosophy will be discussed, calling specifically upon its religious and spiritual underpinnings. Next, early criminological theories that inspired peacemaking will be discussed in order to understand it as a theoretical perspective. Finally, the practical application of peacemaking criminology, including what its principles could possibly help us accomplish in our justice system and in our own lives, will be discussed in the hopes that the positives of the peacemaking approach could be considered for possible future implementation.

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