paix

Paix is the state of tranquility or quiet, free from disturbance or conflict. In French, the term covers both external peace among people and nations and inner peace within an individual. It can refer to a truce or treaty as well as a broader sense of harmony in society.

Etymology: from Latin pax “peace, agreement, truce”; in French the term appears in historical phrases such as paix de Dieu and paix publique, and today it is used in idioms like paix intérieure, paix sociale.

The concept is studied across political science, international relations, and philosophy. Negative peace denotes the mere absence of violence, while positive peace includes the presence of justice, social equity, and well-being. Peacebuilding and conflict resolution aim to transform underlying conditions that produce violence, through diplomacy, development, human rights protections, and the rule of law. International organizations, including the United Nations and regional bodies, promote peace through treaties, peacekeeping, and mediation. Notable challenges include state fragility, inequality, identity conflicts, and competing narratives.

Religions and cultures reflect on paix as a moral or spiritual goal. In various traditions, related concepts such as shalom, salaam, or inner calm are linked to ethical conduct, social harmony, and reconciliation. Philosophical perspectives also treat peace as a holistic condition that encompasses freedom from violence as well as the presence of just institutions and trustworthy governance.

In contemporary discourse, paix functions as both a noun and a political objective, evident in peace processes, humanitarian efforts, and cultural expressions that seek to reduce violence and promote human flourishing.