March 28,
2025
Is There No Peace Without Justice?
Machiavelli already observed (rather than invented) that in politics, the means used can be immoral—one may engage in evil to achieve good.
In modern times, with our expanded understanding of different cultures, we must recognize that conflict arises when two sides judge from different principles and interpret facts in different ways, each believing they are right and on the side of good.
For instance, during the wars of independence, Italian patriots believed they were just because every people should have its own state, while reactionaries defended the legitimate sovereign, who was even considered ruler by the grace of God.
It is often said that there can be no peace without justice, but in reality, if everyone seeks the justice they believe in (which differs from that of their enemies), conflicts become inevitable and even more radical.
For peace, one must instead be realistic and pragmatic.