Centre for Peace Studies at the University of Tromsø hereby presents Working Papers No 5.

Bjørg Berg, peace activist and Quaker, is presenting the international peace tax movement in this paper. The organisation 'Conscience & Peace Tax International' (CPTI) is working for the right not to pay taxes for military spending based on conscientious reasons. As Berg argues, praying and working for peace , while payingfor war, is a contradictory position to find oneself in. The refusal to pay taxes for military purposes has a long history dominated by religious movements like the Quakers, but also supported by humanists. Berg illustrates the background and cases from this history and outlines alternatives to military tax, such as a peace tax fund. Despite extensive efforts, the interest in the peace tax movement among Norwegian policy- and decision makers has been lukewarm. However, Bjørg still sees the growing international awareness of peace-related activities like the CPTI to be helpful in facilitating a global shift towards peace.

Tromsø, November 2002