In July of 2001, Dennis Kucinich proposed a bill to establish a federal-level Department of Peace. The idea is not new. A peace office dates back to the founding of our country, when George Washington made such a suggestion. In the 20th century, numerous legislators proposed actual bills that would designate a Department for Peace.
Kucinich’s most recent proposal has garnered support through the work of the Peace Alliance. The state organizer for the Peace Alliance, David Hazen, describes the burden of proof he must overcome: “Media portrays the peace movement as irresponsible.” He shows otherwise, citing a financial analysis of removing violence from society. According to his calculations, interpersonal violence and military spending costs the U.S. $1.1 trillion annually. “The country’s addicted to violence,” Hazen said. “It’s a behavioral disease.”
Across the country, activists like Hazen share ideas through the Peace Alliance. At the 2006 northwest regional conference, there were a total of 28 women for 2 men. “It’s the women who are taking the lead” he said.
Still lacking in the movement is student participation. Only 15 campuses nationwide have active Student Peace Alliances. Though the University is without its own student peace alliance, it does have supporters. A local proponent of the organization here at UO, Paul Simon, recently attended the national Student Peace Alliance conference in Washington, D.C. He explains why he feels that so many of his peers aren’t engaging in the peace movement: “They don’t want to be anti-war. They would rather be channeling energy toward what they do want.” For this reason, he sees great potential in the Department of Peace.
The Department of Peace would receive an equivalent of two percent of the budget for the Department of Defense. About two-thirds of the department would be focused on solving violence within the U.S. “The best way for the U.S. to be effective in stopping wars abroad is to create peace here,” Simon said. Plans for domestic programs include mediation education for children, gang prevention education and prisoner rehabilitation. Though programs currently exist, “it’s a problem with funding. Often times programs compete with each other for funding,” said Simon. He sees the prospect of the Department of Peace as an organizing mechanism for these programs. It could use given data to “magnify the ones that are effective.”
Internationally, the Department of Peace proposes to strengthen nonmilitary means of peacekeeping. A Secretary of Peace would make policy recommendations for “developing and maintaining peaceful conduct.” The president would be bound to consult with the Secretary of Peace, prior to engaging in armed conflict. Simon acknowledges that “some people might consider that jeopardizing national security.” He still sees it as “necessary balance.” In creating policy recommendations, the Department of Peace would utilize resources from a proposed Peace Academy. Though a Peace Institute currently exists, members of the Peace Alliance contest that it doesn’t meet their needs.
Kucinich’s proposal has stirred up interest worldwide. Countries like Australia, who also have long considered a Ministry for Peace, came together in October of 2005, for the First People’s Summit for a Department of Peace. Twelve countries outlined their goals in a declaration. Hazen suggests that the other countries are looking to the U.S. for leadership. They’re holding their breath, if the U.S. takes the lead, everyone else will fall in.”
Nick DeMarsh is a resident of Eugene