Definition of coexistence - What it is, Meaning and Concept

In order to know the meaning of the term coexistence, it is necessary to discover its etymological origin.In this case, we can establish that it is a word of Latin roots.In particular, it comes from the Latin verb that is formed from the sum of the following components:-The prefix "co-", which means "everything" or "together".-The element "ex", which is used to indicate "out".-The verb "sistere", which is synonymous with “taking a position.”

The coexistence is the situation that occurs when a subject or a thing exists at the same time than another or another.Coexisting, in other words, implies a simultaneous existence .For example: “The coach has the obligation to make the coexistence of both players in the team don't generate problems ”, “ The coexistence of people from different cultures in the same neighborhood is always a challenge ”, “ The g obierno will analyze whether it is convenient to allow the coexistence of both technologies or if one of them should be eliminated ”.

The idea of peaceful coexistence is used in the field of international relations to refer to the rejection of violence as a mechanism for the resolution of a conflict between two countries or regions.The concept was cradled by the communist leader Nikita Khrushchev with the intention of referring to the acceptance by the Soviets of the existence of capitalist powers such as United States .


The origin of this concept is in the year 1955 when the aforementioned Khrushchev proceeded to "de-Stalinize" the USSR, with the clear objective of being able to achieve economic growth for all Soviets, the impulse of the modernization of existing infrastructure in the country and even being able to get a little closer to the way of life that existed in the West.


The principle of peaceful coexistence must be applied when two peoples with different characteristics (ethnic, religious, etc.) must live in the same territory.This position leads to both discarding the use of the weapons to be imposed: on the contrary, they must coexist in peace and resolve their conflicts through dialogue and consensus.


Within the historical scope we can highlight the existence of what was called the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.” It is a group of rules that were presented in the decade of the 50s, specifically in 1954, by the that he was the Chinese leader Zhou Enlai.With those what was intended was to fix or regulate international relations.


Specifically, these five principles were the following:-No mutual aggression.-Peaceful coexistence.-Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.-Equality and mutual benefits.-Non-interference in matters interns in other countries.

At the social level, coexistence requires to accept the existence of the other .Those who coexist have the obligation to abide by certain shared rules that allow the organization of the society and the control of violence.To resolve conflicts, in this context, a mediating agency whose operation is institutionalized is used.

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