Freedom and psychological proximity as preconditions of nonviolence: the social psychology of democratic peace

Democracies pursue peaceful conflict resolution with each other as well as in their domestic affairs. This 'empirical law' is known as democratic peace (pax democratica), but it lacks a persuasive theoretical explanation. Utilizing psychology, democratic peace can be explained by frustration-aggression and proximity theories. The substance of democracy includes the culture of freedom and equality. Freedoms reduce frustration and thus instigation to aggressive behaviour. Nonviolence is also encouraged by psychological proximity - reduction in horizontal and vertical psychological distance. Horizontal closeness depends on shared identity - civic nationalism, civic culture, and humanism/civility; vertical closeness depends on equality under the rule of law and popular elections with a general right to vote and hold office. In conclusion, reduced frustration and perceived social proximity diminish aggression and facilitate peaceful conflict resolution. The sources of democratic peace thus lie in the social-psychological prerequisites of democracy itself. Democracy and peace cannot be introduced or preserved without these preconditions.