Will violence in the world ever end? Dozens of students at a Jan. 23 "town hall” forum don’t think so. But they agreed the type of conflict seen throughout the 20th century – nations at war with each other – will likely diminish in the future as smaller groups, like al Qaeda, target civilians and governments for their own ends.
The discussion was one of three forums held Jan. 22-23 that brought together classes that shared a common theme for the 2008 winter session – “Emerging Futures: Foresight for the Global Good.”
Students at the forum on violence spent time debating in small groups that answer to three questions: Are some cultures or world views inherently violent or more prone to violence? When might the use of violence be acceptable in pursuing political or social goals … and if violence is acceptable, are there limits to the legitimate use of violence?
And based on past history and present circumstances, what do you foresee to be the future of the use of violence to achieve political results?
“A culture is not entirely prone to violence,” said Andrew Youssef, an Elon junior at the forum whose family currently lives in Dubai. “It’s small sects within it that influence others.”
Viewpoints differed on many points. Some students felt violence was acceptable if a society is trying to instigate a democratic revolt, much like the American Revolution, though others still argued that nonviolent approaches to government change are just as effective.
“The threat of violence has proven useful in a nonviolent revolution being successful,” said junior Chris Milano. Added junior James Boman: “There is no limit to violence. Fighting oppression is never a clean battle.”
The forum was moderated by assistant professor Michael Pregill, a religious studies professor who taught a Winter Term course on the historical perspective of jihad.
Participating classes included the following:
* GST 235 EF War and Conflict: Past, Present and Future
* GST 300 EF The U.S. and Iraq
* POL 384 EF Political Action: Prospects for Future
* REL 277 EF Jihad in Historical and Global Perspective
A forum on the future of the environment was held Jan. 22 and a discussion on emerging futures in literature and film took place in the Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center at the same time the violence forum was scheduled.
To view students and faculty members talking about their views on violence, click on the link below.