Characteristics Of Early 20th Century Pacifism

In the modern era we recognize pacifism from its great figures on non-violent resistance. Ghandi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. stand as the most recognizable and prominent figures of the ideology. However, these figures do not provide a complete picture of pacifist thought. Pacifism has a long and distinguished history stretching from the origins of Christianity to the modern day. This review will evaluate and compare the ideological characteristics of early 20th century pacifism from two distinct angles: 1.) pacifism based on Judeo-Christian tradition, using Leo Tolstoy as an example; and 2.) pacifism as a secular belief, with a focus on the writings of intellectuals Bertrand Russel and Albert Einstein. While they share the same basic ideological

The pro-military policies of these states provide an opposition to the pacifist view which advocates for disarmament. The Axis power’s defeat in WWII began a new age in geopolitics known as the Cold war. A nuclear arms race had begun between the Soviet Union and the U.S.A. each competing to become the next great superpower. This new potential for global destruction prompted a response from the pacifists of the day, exemplified by the “Russell-Einstein Manifesto” published in 1955. In this manifesto we see the combination of thought from two contemporary intellectuals and pacifists in Russell and Einstein. Bertrand Russell has been described as “the last great radical” due to his contributions to liberal and pacifist thought. He advocated for world government, disarmament and human equality. Einstein, in addition to being one of the most important scientific minds of his time, also was a life-long pacifist, adamantly expressing his anti-war, pro-humanist political views throughout his life. Both Einstein and Russell were heavily influenced by the realities of WW1 & 2 and the creation of atomic weapons, their views on which led to the collaboration in writing their pacifist

To reiterate, while both author’s share common beliefs of anti-militarism, shared equity and human rights, it is the justifications for such beliefs that differ. There is a level of rationalism vs. traditionalism in this difference. Russell and Einstein hold their base for pacifist belief in focusing on the well-being of others and shared human experience. Tolstoy uses Jesus’ teachings of non-violence to arrive at the same conclusions as Russell. Both Author’s show concern over the human experience, Einstein and Russell plead for the future of humanity, while Tolstoy discusses the persecution of pacifist cultures throughout history. The concern for the human condition is a common feature of pacifist ideology, emphasizing the citizen over the state. They both speak of the destructive power of continued violent policies by nations and the mutual benefits, from a humanitarian perspective, of the adaptation of pacifist policies. This is a very idealistic view, and idealism is another important characteristic of pacifism, but in a practical sense goes against human nature. It is this view of human perfectibility that provides the biggest critic against pacifism. While the visions for the world to end all violence seem, at times, overly ambitious, it is because of the ideological influence provided by these pacifist minds that real action to disarm some WMD’s was taken, as well as the development of human rights, it is