Students’ Perception on Peace Economics: A Study among Higher Educational in Malaysia

This comprehensive study investigates the perceptions of students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia regarding the close relationship between economics and peace. The term peace economics has long been a subject of discussion among many researchers. A peace economy comprises elements that directly impact a country's economy and safety, encompassing both positive and negative aspects. Positive peace economics involves the study of elements that affect the economy from the perspectives of society, government, and the structure of a country. The main objective of this research is to assess societal perceptions to understanding the concept of peace economics in an Islamic perspective, followed by the second aim to analyze the level of student understanding towards peace economics and the third objective is to examine the factors contributing of peace economic regarding the eight factors of positive peace economics, which hold significance in Malaysia. Overlooking and insufficiently safeguarding of these elements may result in the most severe forms of unpeaceful, such as conflicts, wars, and domestic chaos, and violence identified as negative peace economics. The study is based on information obtained from a quantitative method approaches involving 384 students as respondents through online surveys. The findings from this research contribute the eight elements namely well-functioning Government, bound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, acceptance of the right of others, good relations with neighbours, free flow of information, high level of human capital, and low level of corruption has a significant relationship with peace economics. Therefore, this research provides suggestions and contributions towards the theories, methodologies and practical that can be used as a guide to the government and policy maker in the effort of improving the level of Malaysian peace economics.