A political or religious ideology that stresses peace over violence or war. A central tenet of many Eastern religions, and also surprisingly widespread in modern-day Europe.
Pacifist ideology assumes that violence is inherently bad and should be avoided, typically without giving serious thought to the causes of and solutions to war and violence (see
Heinlein quote below).
Pacifism is also commonly linked with socialism and environmentalism, and was widespread in the US during the 1960s, with hippies for some reason favoring the communist, Soviet-backed
North Vietnamese over the US and its involvement. This is also prevalent today with respects to the War on Terrorism. As is typical, those adhering to pacifist thought do not consider the alternatives to the war, and instead, as is typical, provide baseless or biased rhetoric as to why it is better to die like a dog than fighting on your feet.
Example:
Since pacifists have more freedom of action in countries where traces of democracy survive,
pacifism can act more effectively against democracy than for it. Objectively
the pacifist is pro-Nazi. - George Orwell
The concept of nonviolence is a false ideal. It presupposes the existence of compassion and a sense of justice on the part of one's adversary. When this adversary has everything to lose and nothing to gain by exercising justice and compassion, his reaction can only be negative. - George Jackson
Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay; and claims a halo for his dishonesty. - Robert
Heinlein