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Peace for Our Planet: A New Approach
This book tells the story of a new historical dialectic in the world between two parallel processes: constructive and destructive. It traces the growth of a constructive collective consciousness that has delegitimized the root causes of war, including racism, nationalism, religious strife, gender inequality and extremes of wealth and poverty. Those who have profited from these divisive attitudes are bound to take a last stand. Yet, they are fighting a losing battle. Amidst the blinding haze generated by the accelerated collapse of these outworn mindsets and institutions, this book brings into focus the forward march of the constructive process toward peace, and the powerful role each of us can play in its realization.
128 pages, Paperback
Published January 23, 2017
13 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 19, 2017
This is an engaging, accessible, well-researched book. If you are seeking a better understanding of the scope, pace and kinds of changes occurring in the world right now (and the constructive and destructive societal forces causing them) - and want a reason to be optimistic about our planet's collective future - Dr. Akhavan's analysis is worth your time. Filled with scholarship-driven insights, Peace for Our Planet: A New Approach offers inspiring (and concrete) evidence that a wonderful transformation is occurring across the planet.
The bottom line is this: Peace is not just possible or probable, it's inevitable, and we all have a role in making it happen.
The bottom line is this: Peace is not just possible or probable, it's inevitable, and we all have a role in making it happen.
December 23, 2022
Insightful. Lucid. Concise. Brilliant. To the many accolades already written about Roya Akhavan's Peace for Our Planet, all of which I wholeheartedly agree with, I would only add this. The book's substantial contribution to the subject of world peace derives largely from Dr. Akhavan's ability to deftly weave together many of the world's most troubling, seemingly unrelated challenges and show how they all fit into a simple paradigm of processes happening on either a destructive or a constructive plane.
Within that paradigm she exposes the root causes of the world's troubles and shows how they are interrelated. She also proposes practical and completely feasible steps to encourage the constructive process that leads ultimately to the world's unification and peace. Social and political leaders, college students, and everyone with an interest in current affairs, would do well to ponder the insights and recommendations of this book with care.
Within that paradigm she exposes the root causes of the world's troubles and shows how they are interrelated. She also proposes practical and completely feasible steps to encourage the constructive process that leads ultimately to the world's unification and peace. Social and political leaders, college students, and everyone with an interest in current affairs, would do well to ponder the insights and recommendations of this book with care.
December 23, 2022
Insightful. Lucid. Concise. Brilliant. To the many accolades already written about Roya Akhavan's Peace for Our Planet, all of which I wholeheartedly agree with, I would only add this. The book's substantial contribution to the subject of world peace derives largely from Dr. Akhavan's ability to deftly weave together many of the world's most troubling, seemingly unrelated challenges and show how they all fit into a simple paradigm of processes happening on either a destructive or a constructive plane.
Within that paradigm she exposes the root causes of the world's troubles and shows how they are interrelated. She also proposes practical and completely feasible steps to encourage the constructive process that leads ultimately to the world's unification and peace. Social and political leaders, college students, and everyone with an interest in current affairs, would do well to ponder the insights and recommendations of this book with care.
Within that paradigm she exposes the root causes of the world's troubles and shows how they are interrelated. She also proposes practical and completely feasible steps to encourage the constructive process that leads ultimately to the world's unification and peace. Social and political leaders, college students, and everyone with an interest in current affairs, would do well to ponder the insights and recommendations of this book with care.
February 2, 2019
The Way Ahead for Humanity
The author makes a convincing statement that not only does a constructive process exist it is also gaining in strength and speed. That we as individuals have a choice to accept and believe in the oneness of humankind and act in that way.
The author makes a convincing statement that not only does a constructive process exist it is also gaining in strength and speed. That we as individuals have a choice to accept and believe in the oneness of humankind and act in that way.
May 29, 2019
This beautiful book gives a fresh, hopeful, and clear-sighted perspective on the progress humanity has made toward peace and the positive path that's leading us to a more unified world. There is a constructive and optimistic outlook that's taking hold on the world and gaining momentum.
February 28, 2017
Let us all get along and have peace.
January 3, 2023
This book presents an amazing perspective on the history of humanity’s problems and, as the title says, a new approach for peace. The first part outlines the strides made in the last couple hundred years, e.g. the reduction in poverty, illiteracy, slavery, and war. Other improvements include the ending of the Cold War, the abolishment of apartheid, and ending colonialism.
Dr. Akhavan asks why humans have made such progress and proposes that spiritual/moral truths have been the cause. Just as physical laws and scientific discoveries spread and advance society, so spiritual truths reach through all cultures. In particular, the nineteenth century saw rise to these truths: the earth is one country and humanity its citizens; the equality of women and men; there is only one race, the human race. The discovery of these ideas, just like scientific discovery, can change people’s hearts and hence change the world.
The book acknowledges many problems still exist. The point is not that everything is perfect, but that humanity is always striving to improve its spiritual and moral character, to become more just and peaceful.
One of the most intriguing claims in the book is that sexism has contributed more to war than racism, nationalism, or religion. Since early human history men have been the hunters and protectors, women have been the caregivers. This has led to men using their physical power to dominate leadership positions. People often say, “Wars will never stop because humans are inherently violent.” This type of statement shows our inherent gender bias. Such a statement equates “human” with “male” because the vast majority of leaders who wage war are male. Females are half the population and predominantly peaceful. Ingrained sexism has contributed to war in three major ways: a masculine warrior persona has been glorified, this led us to believe war/violence is inevitable, and women’s more-peaceful perspectives were suppressed.
The author does an excellent job of balancing pragmatism and optimism. Just like a child, humanity has thrown temper tantrums and misbehaved, but as it slowly matures its behavior improves. We learn that diversity can provide balance and creativity to solving problems. We learn that human happiness is based on love and collaboration, not competition and conflict. A new approach for peace is to recognize how spiritual growth brings about lasting societal change.
Dr. Akhavan asks why humans have made such progress and proposes that spiritual/moral truths have been the cause. Just as physical laws and scientific discoveries spread and advance society, so spiritual truths reach through all cultures. In particular, the nineteenth century saw rise to these truths: the earth is one country and humanity its citizens; the equality of women and men; there is only one race, the human race. The discovery of these ideas, just like scientific discovery, can change people’s hearts and hence change the world.
The book acknowledges many problems still exist. The point is not that everything is perfect, but that humanity is always striving to improve its spiritual and moral character, to become more just and peaceful.
One of the most intriguing claims in the book is that sexism has contributed more to war than racism, nationalism, or religion. Since early human history men have been the hunters and protectors, women have been the caregivers. This has led to men using their physical power to dominate leadership positions. People often say, “Wars will never stop because humans are inherently violent.” This type of statement shows our inherent gender bias. Such a statement equates “human” with “male” because the vast majority of leaders who wage war are male. Females are half the population and predominantly peaceful. Ingrained sexism has contributed to war in three major ways: a masculine warrior persona has been glorified, this led us to believe war/violence is inevitable, and women’s more-peaceful perspectives were suppressed.
The author does an excellent job of balancing pragmatism and optimism. Just like a child, humanity has thrown temper tantrums and misbehaved, but as it slowly matures its behavior improves. We learn that diversity can provide balance and creativity to solving problems. We learn that human happiness is based on love and collaboration, not competition and conflict. A new approach for peace is to recognize how spiritual growth brings about lasting societal change.
June 15, 2023
It is an easy read. However, it appears that I would enjoy reading it few times. In my first read, I have discovered historical moments that I did not know. And it seems from the second reading as well, there are ideas that worth investigating and studying.
In the word full of negative events, one can easily see the negatives and focus on such. However, Roya offers another take on things. She offers the reader to see particular historical events in a pattern that strongly suggests that we humans are actually learning the lessons of humanity and do have the kind, wise side to us.
In the last subtitle of "Whence the Global Culture?", she offers sequence of questions that in itself offer us a new perspective. The perspective that we tend to overlook, which in itself offers us possible solutions that can bring about the lasting peace !
In the word full of negative events, one can easily see the negatives and focus on such. However, Roya offers another take on things. She offers the reader to see particular historical events in a pattern that strongly suggests that we humans are actually learning the lessons of humanity and do have the kind, wise side to us.
In the last subtitle of "Whence the Global Culture?", she offers sequence of questions that in itself offer us a new perspective. The perspective that we tend to overlook, which in itself offers us possible solutions that can bring about the lasting peace !
December 27, 2022
I am an educator and I thoroughly loved and highly recommend this book for study. Peace for our planet definitely brings to light a new approach to solving many problems in the world today. It explains in great detail the historic events that led us to where we are today. The constructive collective consciousness that we are part of today gives me hope for the future of humanity!
Bravo and thank you Roya Akhavan for an excellent book!
Bravo and thank you Roya Akhavan for an excellent book!
July 1, 2023
Traditional approaches to ending world conflicts no longer work. We need to end violent masculinity & empower boys & men to express their emotions in a loving, constructive manner. The author of Peace for our Planet states a diverse group of people collaborating on a problem, and given equal opportunity to express their ideas freely, are far more creative and productive than a group of people from the same background.
September 29, 2018
Many positive adjectives could describe Roya Akhavan's book, "Peace for our Planet, A New Approach," but no one adjective fits it better than "brilliant." I have read many books, hers is worth reading. What will you write next, Roya?
May 29, 2019
This beautiful book gives a fresh, hopeful, and clear-sighted perspective on the progress humanity is making toward world peace. There is a constructive and optimistic outlook that's taking hold in the world and gaining momentum.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews