Violence and Democracy [Hardcover]

An account of the origins of violence, its consequences, its uses, and the relationship between violence and democracy.Clouds of violence are now rolling across the world. In this book 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 shows why democracies do not wage war upon each other, and why they are unusually sensitive to violence. Keane emphasises ethical questions, such as the circumstances in which violence can be justified, and argues that violence can and should be 'democratised' and made publicly accountable.Clouds of violence are now rolling across the world. In this book 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 shows why democracies do not wage war upon each other, and why they are unusually sensitive to violence. Keane emphasises ethical questions, such as the circumstances in which violence can be justified, and argues that violence can and should be 'democratised' and made publicly accountable.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.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.'Keane's is a learned, at times almost magistlŠ