This special issue is an outgrowth of the work to increase constructiveness of political discourse through the application of psychological theory and research. The main article discusses the nature of political disclosure, its role in democratic decision making, and the intentions of the founders of American democracy in placing political discourse at the center of civic life. It also addresses the characteristics that founders and early American citizens gave to political discourse, other forms of political persuasion, and the role of (...) psychology in maintaining the health of democracy. A theory, program of research, and normative procedure for ensuring that political discourse is conducted in constructive ways are then described. It is followed by a series of commentaries remarking on issues raised by the main article. (shrink)

Those engaged in the fields of peace and political psychology need to maintain a balanced view. To obtain this balanced view of the future, the editors invited sociologist and peace researcher Elise Boulding to write a paper concerning "cultures of peace" and then invited scholars and researchers from across the globe to comment on it. This special issue is the result. Seeking a balanced view that does not ignore the harsh realities of today's world or drain us of hope for (...) the future, this issue discusses: *the positives and negatives of a possible paradigm shift from dominance to mutualism in both interpersonal and interstate relations; *how human peaceableness can not occur until the pervasive problems of poverty, violence, ecological destruction, and discrimination are resolved; *how peace does not mean acquiescence to an unjust patriarchal system of economic, ecological, and sexual exploitation; *how advances in technology and marketing that have strengthened the culture of peace have done the same for the malign culture of violence; and *the mission of transforming a culture of war to one of peace, presenting actions that are intended to facilitate the tranformation. (shrink)

First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.