A Study of the Problems of Peace

In the West, studies in the vital field of war and peace are being pursued as an independent field - the science of peace. This article classifies the various explanations of the causes of international conflicts into four major groups: those that see as a main cause and source (1) human nature itself; (2) shortcomings of the social order; (3) divine will; and (4) functional causes (geopolitical, demographical, and political concepts). These are then given a general assessment from the point of view of the Marxist-Leninist approach to the problem of war and peace. Finally, the Soviet programme for analysing the causes of war and ensuring ways to peace, as e.g. formulated at the 24th CPSU Congress, is briefly presented.