Private memories about public libraries. The hazards of using real-life material in fiction. In lucid, spare prose, Howard's 100-page argument spans 12 centuries and is a synthesis of his life's work. To achieve the harmony that we dream of, we must understand the contradictions and elusiveness of peace itself. Howard spoke to Salon from his home in West Berkshire, England, about the historical origins of peace, America's controversial and significant role in the international community and the prospect of peace in our post-heroic age.
Conflict is a natural state at every level of human life.
Peace involves, over many years, structures, organizations and laws which exist to manage that conflict. That is not a natural condition. That is something which develops only over long periods of time with a great deal of hard work and many back-slippings. Peace is not a natural state of society, any more than war is a natural state of society. Conflict is what is endemic and, if you like, is natural.