On the other hand, the waging of peace as a science, as an art, is in its infancy. But we can trace its growth, its steady progress, and the time will come when there will be particular individuals designated to assume responsibility for and leadership of this movement.

The quote by Fredrik Bajer, “On the other hand, the waging of peace as a science, as an art, is in its infancy. But we can trace its growth, its steady progress, and the time will come when there will be particular individuals designated to assume responsibility for and leadership of this movement,” reflects his lifelong commitment to the cause of peace and international cooperation. Bajer, a Danish politician, writer, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was a strong advocate for arbitration and diplomacy over conflict. Here, he presents peace not as a passive state but as something that must be actively studied, developed, and led like any other field of human progress.

The meaning of the quote is that while humanity has long perfected the art and science of war, the structured development of peace is still in its early stages. Bajer suggests that peace can and should be approached systematically—through study, practice, and the cultivation of leadership. Just as societies train military leaders to wage war, there will eventually be recognized leaders who dedicate their lives to building and sustaining peace.

The origin of this perspective lies in Bajer’s work during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period when organized peace movements began gaining international traction. He co-founded the Inter-Parliamentary Union and worked toward arbitration treaties, believing in the possibility of replacing violent conflict with legal and diplomatic solutions. His words reflect both optimism and realism: optimism in the progress of peace efforts, and realism in acknowledging that the field was only beginning to be taken seriously during his time.

Ultimately, the quote underscores the need for intentional leadership in the cause of peace. Bajer believed that with time, peace-building would evolve into a recognized discipline with dedicated practitioners, just like science or art. His vision continues to resonate in today’s world, where peace studies, international relations, and conflict resolution have indeed become established fields, fulfilling part of the hope he expressed.