Dreams of peace and realities of war. The friend-enemy polarization

The aspiration for peace has been a recurring theme in human history, yet war remains a persistent reality. This paradox raises fundamental questions: Can war be rendered impossible? How do historical enemies transition into allies? The international friend-enemy polarization threatens global stability, with contemporary political divisions exacerbating internal national conflicts. We offer a collection of papers and debates that presented at the 2024 Dublin conference ‘Dreams of Peace and Realities of War. The Friend-Enemy Polarization’. The first section examines political polarization and enmity: Jacob Rogozinski’s analysis of absolute hostility in democratic societies questions whether democratic agonism can contain enmity without leading to destructive divisions. Nicholas Hayes-Mota revisits Chantal Mouffe’s agonistic democracy, comparing it with Saul Alinsky’s community organizing to assess its practical viability. Nadia Urbinati critiques the decline of political intermediation, linking it to socio-economic inequalities and the erosion of democratic deliberation. Mauro Magatti explores globalization’s failure, arguing that it has fueled instability, reinforcing nationalistic and religious divisions. The second section focuses on inclusion and exclusion in politics, tradition, and religion. Seán Golden discusses Confucianism’s historical role as a counterbalance to militaristic realpolitik. Asma Afsaruddin explores Islamic peacemaking traditions, highlighting Quranic and Hadith-based principles of justice and mercy. Chandra Mallampalli analyzes India’s anti-conversion laws and Hindu nationalism, while Brian Levy examines South Africa’s struggle with economic inequality and identity politics. The final section addresses globalization and polarization in the digital age. Fulvia Giachetti critiques the neoliberal belief that free markets promote peace, while Assaf Sharon interrogates how authoritarian demagogues manipulate public discourse. Marina Calloni discusses algorithmic-driven political enmity, and Chiara Giaccardi advocates for ‘inter-independence’ as a framework for sustainable global relations. As history oscillates between peace and conflict, this collection of essays offers critical insights into the challenges of reconciliation, urging renewed efforts to institutionalize peace amid rising global tensions.