Abstract
The paper points out the heuristic extent of Imperfect Peace [IP], a theory which comes from the historical studies, with the aim of demonstrating that every approach which deals with peace and conflict has to be compared with the ‘laws’ of dynamics of society and an idea of the human condition. As for the method, the paper develops a comparison between the basic concepts of IP (primal peace, interdependence, holism, relativism, dialectics, pacifist empowerment) and some influential standings of philosophy and sociology. As a first result, the paper sees in the IP an overcoming of an ethical class by looking for the 'best possible' rather than the 'absolute good'. Afterwards, it highlights some similarities and important differences between IP and the network theory of conflict. Finally, developing a Peace Theory independently and conceptualizing a close peace-society relationship, the paper emphasizes the shadows of the IP's project and presents, as a final contribution, some ideas for a critical refocusing of the IP as a whole.