Are there examples of where violence is acceptable to bring about a more peaceful solution in the future?
I personally don’t believe that violence is ever the best (or last) available option. As soon as one group uses violence toward another group, they are exerting a form of control over them. This leads to either retaliation or resentment, which increases until it boils over in more violence…and so the cycle seems to continue. While things like the bombing of Japan may seem to have brought about peace, I don’t think it was ideal by any means. For example, a number of children were injured, numerous innocent civilians were killed, and people were disfigured by the nuclear radiation for years to come. So it had some very negative long-term effects. I guess a huge part of it is personalities. People who are unwilling to negotiate or compromise, and so forth. And people who truly believe violence can sort out their issues. There are a number of successful and notable peaceful resistance movements that have worked well. An example from my small home country, New Zealand, is that of Parihaka
