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Johan Galtung Death and Obituary: The Visionary Who Invented Peace and Conflict Studies

Johan Galtung Death and Obituary: The Visionary Who Invented Peace and Conflict Studies, Johan Galtung, a Norwegian sociologist and the founder of peace and conflict studies, passed away at the age of 93. He was a visionary who dedicated his life to advancing the study of peace and conflict. His legacy lives on in his numerous contributions to the theory and practice of peace, as well as in the countless people he inspired and mentored throughout his long and prolific career.

Galtung was a pioneer in the field of peace and conflict studies, and his contributions have left an indelible mark on the academic world. He was the main founder of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in 1959 and served as its first director until 1970. He also established the Journal of Peace Research in 1964, which remains one of the leading academic journals in the field of peace and conflict studies. His work has been instrumental in shaping the way we think about and work towards a more peaceful world.

The news of Galtung’s passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from academics, activists, and politicians around the world. His visionary ideas and tireless work in the field of peace and conflict studies have inspired generations of scholars and activists, and his influence will continue to be felt for many years to come.

Life and Legacy of Johan Galtung

Early Life and Education

Johan Galtung was born on October 24, 1930, in Oslo, Norway. He grew up during World War II and witnessed the Nazi occupation of Norway. This experience had a profound impact on his life and led him to become an advocate for peace and non-violence. Galtung studied mathematics and sociology at the University of Oslo and received his Ph.D. in sociology in 1956.

Founding Peace and Conflict Studies

In 1959, Galtung founded the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo, which was the first academic institution dedicated to the study of peace and conflict. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Journal of Peace Research in 1964, which remains one of the most respected academic journals in the field.

Major Contributions and Theories

Galtung’s contributions to the study of peace and conflict are numerous and varied. He developed the concept of “structural violence,” which refers to the ways in which social structures and institutions can harm people by denying them basic needs and rights. He also introduced the idea of “positive peace,” which goes beyond the absence of violence to include the presence of social justice and equality.

Galtung’s work on conflict resolution emphasized the importance of finding creative and non-violent solutions to conflicts. He believed that conflicts could be resolved by identifying and addressing the underlying causes of the conflict, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

Influence on International Relations

Galtung’s work has had a significant impact on the field of international relations. His ideas have been influential in the development of peace studies as an academic discipline, and his theories and concepts have been widely adopted by scholars and practitioners around the world.

In conclusion, Johan Galtung was a visionary who made significant contributions to the study of peace and conflict. His legacy will continue to shape the way we think about and work towards a more peaceful world.

Johan Galtung’s Death

Circumstances of Death

Johan Galtung, the Norwegian sociologist who founded the discipline of peace and conflict studies, passed away on September 12, 2020, at the age of 90. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Oslo, Norway. Galtung had been suffering from a series of health issues in recent years, including heart problems, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease.

Global Reactions and Tributes

Galtung’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world. Many of his colleagues, students, and admirers took to social media to express their condolences and share their memories of him. The President of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA), Dr. Tatsushi Arai, issued a statement saying that “Johan Galtung was a towering figure in the field of peace and conflict studies, and his contributions to the theory and practice of peace will continue to inspire generations to come.”

Impact on the Field of Peace Studies

Galtung’s death marks the end of an era in the field of peace and conflict studies. He was one of the most influential and innovative thinkers of his time, and his ideas and methods have had a profound impact on the way we think about peace and conflict. Galtung’s legacy will live on through his numerous publications, including his seminal work “Violence, Peace, and Peace Research,” and through the many scholars and practitioners he inspired and mentored throughout his long and prolific career.

Overall, Johan Galtung’s death is a great loss to the field of peace and conflict studies, and to the world at large. He will be remembered as a visionary who invented a new way of thinking about peace, and who dedicated his life to the pursuit of a more peaceful and just world.

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