This week there was an unexpected outbreak of peace, at least rhetorically. Jared Kushner unveiled his “peace plan” for the Middle East, which his father-in-law Donald Trump called “the deal of the century”, not displaying much hope for the next 80 years. Meanwhile, Brexit was formally commemorated with a 50p coin proclaiming that, despite all appearances to the contrary, the UK was dedicated to “peace”, as well as to prosperity and “friendship with all nations”.
From the Latin “pax” via French “pais”, “peace” has meant the absence of war or civil unrest (“the King’s peace”) in English since the 12th century. It is today one of the official “goals and values” of the EU to promote peace, but the UK won’t be told what to do by Brussels, and so it has minted some change celebrating peace while tearing up a treaty.
Peace has also long had a purely psychological sense, meaning “freedom from anxiety or inner conflict; tranquillity” (OED), which this week’s news might indeed have provided to some troubled souls. Others will remember what the Celtic chief Calgacus, according to Tacitus, said of the Romans: “They make a desolation and call it peace.”
