Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Terminology

A just law is created by both a majority and minority and is binding on both. An unjust law is created by a majority that is binding on the minority when the minority has no voice in creating the law. Dr. King said, “A just law is a man-made code that squares with moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with moral law…One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly and with a willingness to accept the penalty.”

A quality that signifies voluntary acceptance of procedures that inherently necessitates obedience, cooperation, or acquiescence. Maybe explicitly or implicitly formulated by individuals or institutions and may include laws, orders, decrees, decisions, and judgements.

In political terms, legitimacy simplifies the ability to rule and removes recourse to physical or other forms of coercion.

The power that one party has to influence the behavior of another.

Also called negative-sum outcome involves the pursuit of objectives by one or more parties that produce mutually detrimental/negative effects on all the parties in question, limiting the possibility of any of them achieving their objectives.