Stefano Monti argues culture thrives on conflict, not peace

In an opinion piece on Artribune, Stefano Monti argues that the concept of a 'culture of peace' is misguided. He contends that culture inherently involves confrontation and conflict, which can be constructive if managed properly. Monti criticizes the current global situation marked by wars in Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza, and Iran, noting that war enriches many parties. He asserts that democratic systems, particularly in Italy and the West, fail to give citizens real power over supranational interests. Instead of promoting peace, Monti calls for fostering genuine culture—the ability to engage with differing viewpoints and defend one's own through knowledge and dialogue. He warns that the presumption of perpetual peace imposes an inhuman and non-evolutionary model. The article was published on April 12, 2024, and is part of a series of newsletters by Artribune.