Peace and conflict studies is a
social science field that identifies and analyses
violent and
nonviolent behaviours as well as the structural mechanisms attending
conflicts (including
social conflicts) with a view towards understanding those processes which lead to a more desirable
human condition. A variation on this, peace studies (irenology), is an
interdisciplinary effort aiming at the prevention, de-escalation, and solution of conflicts by peaceful means, thereby seeking "victory" for all parties involved in the conflict. This is in contrast to
war studies (polemology), which has as its aim on the efficient attainment of victory in conflicts, primarily by violent means to the satisfaction of one or more, but not all, parties involved. Disciplines involved may include
political science,
geography,
economics,
psychology,
sociology,
international relations,
history,
anthropology,
religious studies, and
gender studies, as well as a variety of others. Relevant sub-disciplines of such fields, such as
peace economics, may be regarded as belonging to peace and conflict studies also.