"Research suggests that even torturers and mass murderers don't usually do what they do just for the fun of it. Instead, overwhelmingly, people who cause tremendous harm to others tell themselves stories that rationalize and justify their actions. One powerful story that helps us support killing other people is that 'there is no alternative' (made famous with the acronym TINA)."
"The finding suggests that unless people are told explicitly that alternatives to war exist, they simply assume that such alternatives do not exist, or that they've already been tried and failed. Both of these assumptions are false."
"In researching my book, I came across a surprising array of alternatives to wars. Some of these you may have thought about-alternatives like relentless peace diplomacy and smart sanctions on the flow of weapons. Some are more creative-like unarmed groups of civilians training themselves and coordinating to nonviolently prevent invading powers."
Many people believe that alternatives to war do not exist or have already been tried, but both beliefs are incorrect. War is costly, and military spending is increasing. A variety of alternatives, such as peace diplomacy and nonviolent civilian actions, are available but lack government implementation. Popular narratives misrepresent war, leading to misunderstandings about these alternatives. Research shows that when people are informed about the existence of alternatives, they are less likely to support war, indicating a need for greater awareness of nonviolent options.
Read at Psychology Today
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