Synopses & Reviews
An original account of the origins of violence, its consequences, its uses, and the relationship between violence and democracy.
Synopsis
John Keane offers an original account of the origins of violence, its consequences, its uses and remedies, and the relationship between violence and democracy. Rejecting the view that human nature is violent, Keane demonstrates why democracies do not wage war upon each other, and are unusually sensitive to violence. He emphasizes ethical questions, such as the circumstances in which violence can be justified, and argues that violence can and should be democratized and made publicly accountable.
Synopsis
John Keane calls for a fresh understanding of the vexed relationship between democracy and violence. Taking issue with the common sense view that 'human nature' is violent, Keane shows why mature democracies do not wage war upon each other, and why they are unusually sensitive to violence. He argues that we need to think more discriminatingly about the origins of violence, its consequences, its uses and remedies. Keane emphasises ethical questions and argues that violence can and should be 'democratised' and made publicly accountable. This is a bold and engaging argument.
About the Author
John Keane is Professor of Politics at the Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster. He is currently writing a full-scale history of democracy - the first for over a century.
Table of Contents
1. Surplus violence; 2. Muskets, terrorists; 3. Thinking violence; 4. Civilisation; 5. Barbarism?; 6. Why violence?; 7. Uncivil wars; 8. Ethics; 9. Ten rules for democratizing violence.