Abolishing War (Session 1)

The World Citizen Book Club opened a two-session series on Abolishing War by Dr. Winston Langley, tackling the fundamental question: is it possible to abolish war? In this first session, Langley presented his argument that international security and peace are attainable—along with their necessary corollaries of environmental protection, resource conservation, and the fair enforcement of human rights.

About the Book

Abolishing War argues that abolishing war is not a utopian ideal but an achievable goal. Langley proposes a radically altered United Nations—one that would provide the effective system of global governance needed to eliminate the conditions that produce armed conflict. The book examines the sovereign nation-state system as the primary source of international violence and human rights abuse, and outlines a path toward a world federation capable of ensuring lasting peace.

About the Author

Winston Langley is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Relations and Senior Fellow at the McCormack Graduate School for Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he taught for over 40 years and served as Provost from 2008 to 2017. His research focuses on models of global order with an emphasis on human rights. His book Women’s Rights in the United States (with Vivian Fox) won the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award. His other works include War Between U.S. and China and While the US Sleeps. A committed world federalist, Langley has long advocated for the formation of a world federation and the abolition of war.

Discussion Highlights

The first session introduced Langley’s core thesis and examined the structural conditions that perpetuate war. Participants discussed the relationship between the nation-state system and armed conflict, and explored the book’s vision for transforming the United Nations into an institution capable of enforcing peace and protecting human rights globally.