John Wear Burton (1915-2010) was a public servant, diplomat and academic who made distinguished contributions to the discipline of conflict resolution. Just published is a collection of extracts from his work: John W. Burton: a Pioneer in Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Key Contributions on International Relations, Peace Theory, World Society, and Human Needs. The book is edited by David J. Dunn, Hans Günter Brauch, and Burton’s daughter, Pamela Burton, and published by Springer Nature.
Pamela Burton says the book demonstrates ‘the constant challenge to think anew about the nature of “peace”, and the basic sources of conflicts. Never more important than now, given the current mess the world is in.’
From the publisher: This book charts John W. Burton’s transition from practitioner in diplomacy to pioneer in the theory of peace research, thinking on world society and conflict resolution. Born in 1915, given his father’s name, it was assumed that he would follow his father and become a Christian missionary. He did not: he joined the Australian Public Service. From a junior position he rose rapidly. He was forthright and some found him irritating, or worse. He progressed to the highest levels of policy-making. Amidst some controversy, he resigned abruptly in 1951. He then worked on his farm outside Canberra, writing avidly. He did not intend to become an academic, but in 1963 he was offered a position in International Relations at University College in London and he accepted. He was key to the foundation of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA) in 1964 and of the Conflict Research Society in the UK, because he thought that words and ideas were not enough: there needed to be instruments of change. Looking back, he was, in fact, a secular missionary. His aim? Simple: to change the world.
Readers can download front matter free of charge from the above link, including ‘Foreword’ by Christopher Mitchell (George Mason University, USA), and Pamela Burton’s piece, ‘A Daughter’s Overview’.
Canberra Times obituary. SMH obituary. Review by Alison Broinowski of Persons of Interest: an Intimate Account of Cecily and John Burton (2022) by Pamela Burton and her sister Meredith Edwards.
25 June 2024
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