Descriptions:

1
Violence and Politics points out a paradox of contemporary political violence: it appears to be growing in scope and complexity even in this era of unprecedented democratic and economic growth. These essays cover a number of timely issues including pro-life terrorism, hate crimes, Islam's connection (or stereotyped connection) to violence, rape as a war crime, ethnic conflicts, and violence against those protesting for civil rights for women, gays and lesbians and blacks. Contributors cross disciplines and subdisciplines to examine the counter-intuitive persistence of violence in advanced democracies and in steadily improving developing countries.

2
Who among us would deny that we live in a violent world? Even in an era of economic dynamism and democratic change, violence, in its many guises, has been gaining ground across world regions. Violence and Politics describes how, in both developed and developing states, violence remains a manifestation of political and economic disputes, an expression of differences -- and similarities -- and a tool of those resisting the rights of women and minorities. While policy makers once hoped that economic prosperity would lead to civil peace, it now seems evident that globalization and democratic reform does not guarantee tranquility. Opening with a broad overview by Charles Tilly on violence and politics, this volume grapples with a wide range of issues, including private armies, genocide, terrorism, hate crimes, identity politics, and human rights abuses. Crossing disciplines and subdisciplines, Violence and Politics examines the implications of Islam's connection to violence, rape as a war crime, state-sanctioned violence against gays and lesbians, and violence against those protesting for civil rights. The collection closes with an important and timely essay by John Keane on the nature of fear and democracy.