In recent years, peace psychology has grown from a utopian idea to a
means of transforming societies worldwide. Yet at the same time
peacebuilding enjoys global appeal, the diversity of nations and regions
demands interventions reflecting local cultures and realities. Peace
Psychology in Asia shows this process in action, emphasizing concepts
and methods diverging from those common to the US and Europe.
Using examples from China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and
elsewhere in the region, chapter authors illuminate the complex social,
political, and religious conditions that have fostered war, colonialism,
dictatorships, and ethnic strife, and the equally intricate personal and
collective psychologies that need to be developed to encourage
reconciliation, forgiveness, justice, and community. Peace Psychology
in Asia:
- Integrates psychology, history, political science, and local culture
into concepts of peace and reconciliation.
- Highlights the indigenous aspects of peace psychology.
- Explains the critical relevance of local culture and history in peace
work.
- Blends innovative theoretical material with empirical evidence
supporting peace interventions.
- Balances its coverage among local, national, regional, and global
contexts.
- Analyzes the potential of Asia as a model for world peace.
As practice-driven as it is intellectually stimulating, Peace
Psychology in Asia is vital reading for social and community
psychologists, policy analysts, and researchers in psychology and
sociology and international studies, including those looking to the
region for ideas on peace work in non-Western countries.
