Society Research
Final report of the CSS Working Group "A Pandemic Peace"
22 August 2022, by CSS
Photo: unsplash
In July 2020, the Center for Sustainable Society Research (CSS) approved the establishment of the Working Group "A Pandemic Peace? Narrative Shift in Discursive Disarmament Strategies". Over its two year duration, the Working Group explored the role and effects of a narrative shift within international disarmament and anti-militarism social movements with the COVID-19 pandemic as a symbolic event.
Background of the project
The discourses revolving disarmament campaigns have commonly focused on the negative effects of weapons, such as violence, suffering, and obstacles concerning peace efforts and the establishment institutions. In the light of the COVID-19 crisis, the narrative embraced by NGOs and activists alike is increasingly focusing on a public health approach. The research interest of the Working Group was aimed at the way in which several social movements seize this global crisis concern. Additionally, the members of the Working Group were interested on the related framing process that contributes to the establishment of the pandemic as a symbol of global peace, solidarity, and community.
Were the objectives of the working group achieved or have the objectives changed during the funding period?
The objectives of the Working Group were reached and the results will be published in an upcoming CSS Working Paper as well as another journal. However, due to the pandemic the planned workshop to connect scholars and activists could not yet take place. As the Working Group consisted of scholars from different institutes at the univeristy, the connection of the CSS and the IFSH and the Institute for Geography could be strengthened. The project involved young scientists from Universität Hamburg both as members of the WG and as student research assistants.
What is the significance of the results of the Working Group for research in this field?
The research of the Working Group provides insights into the societal dimensions of sustainability by emphasizing the increasing importance of the complex relationship between social and environmental causes of conflict. The Working Group also brings forth the ability of social movements to exercise their agency through the creation of narratives by addressing a trans-system social rupture. This allows us to address the research gap between strategic narratives and social movements.
What is the significance of the results for the sustainable development of society?
The Working Group puts particular attention to how societal actors push towards re-thinking peace towards a more sustainable approach to peace that involves many other factors that are not traditionally connected to peace.
What turned out to be particularly exciting findings?
The research shed light on how the pandemic became an important factor in the creation of narratives throughout the peace movement. The Working Group observed how peace, health and government spending became the most important aspects addressed by the different societal actors of the peace movement in very interesting ways.
You can find out more about the Working Group here.