Threads of Justice-A Tapestry of Interconnected Strands

During my sociology studies, I was drawn to the evolving ideas of community and society, which have fueled passionate debate among sociologists worldwide for centuries.

From America to Europe, each interpretation is shaped by unique social, economic, and political contexts, offering fresh perspectives on what binds and divides us.

One professor’s words still echo in my mind: “Knowledge is never absolute; it evolves with perspective. It’s shaped by what we choose to see and measure, but it must always leave room for other views to enrich the narrative.” This insight underscores that the solutions we craft for social challenges are deeply rooted in the values and frameworks underpinning our societies.

A perspective that captivated me was the systems approach, which sees individual events not as isolated, but as intricately connected to a larger whole. It transforms ideas like “We are one” and “globalization” from slogans into a profound truth: every action, every story, every moment is interwoven into a vast, complex web.

Think of a photograph of a lake capturing sunlight, vegetation, rocks, and sky. What’s real, and what’s reflected? Like life, the image is layered and interconnected. To understand it, we simplify—choose a point of focus. Yet, this simplicity risks overlooking the broader system: the ecosystem, the history, and the unseen forces shaping the landscape.

Life, like nature, operates in dynamic equilibrium. The changing seasons, natural disasters, and even human conflict are products of forces constantly in flux. Ignoring these interconnections—whether in nature or society—limits our understanding and hinders our ability to respond thoughtfully.

This interconnectedness also exposes uncomfortable truths.

It reveals the tangled relationships between governments, media, and the machinery of war propaganda. These dynamics are painfully evident in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, where centuries of historical injustices, economic interests, and geopolitical power struggles collide. The rise of technologies, especially AI and social media, amplifies these tensions, turning narratives into battlegrounds in the wars over consciousness, truth, and perception.

Phrases like “rules-based order,” “Israel has a right to self-defence,” and “shared values” illustrate the power of language in shaping perspectives. Yet, when juxtaposed against the proxy war in Ukraine, the hypocrisy, incoherence, and double standards in political discourse become glaring.

Through a systems approach, we’re called to zoom out—to see how historical power dynamics and the flow of information influence our understanding of justice, solidarity, and the interconnectedness of all societies. This lens invites us to think critically about what drives conflict and, more importantly, how we might create space for peace.

This article is the first in a series exploring Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. My intention is to share how I process these events—hoping it might help you shape your perspective in this moment of history.

The horror I feel today mirrors the deep anguish I experienced standing in Mauthausen reflecting on the Nazi genocide.

Both evoke the same unshakable question: How can humanity allow such atrocity?

My hope is for a world where peace, not war, defines our relationships.

Quincy Wright’s idea that “peace is an equilibrium among many forces” remains profoundly relevant. His work challenges us to recognize how technology, law, politics, and human behaviour interact, either sustaining cycles of violence or creating opportunities for harmony.

Understanding war—and ultimately abolishing it—requires us to see its driving forces not as isolated elements but as interconnected parts of a system. Only by acknowledging this complexity can we begin to imagine and build a better future.

This is the lens I offer as I explore these events—like a wheel turning to capture the dynamics of our world.

Peace is not a dream; it’s a possibility when we choose to truly see. Let us choose wisely.