Democracy and Violence
No.3(2005)
Abstract
Keywords:
democracy; violence; triangle of terror; nuclear instability; uncivil wars; apocalyptic terrorism
This review essay critically discusses J. Keane’s book Violence and Democracy (CUP, 2004). The condemnation of violence as an illegitimate use of force to effect decisions against the will of others is as widespread as the belief that democracy and democratization will have a major impact on global peace and cooperation. This makes the issue of violence – leaving aside its numerous and contradicting interpretations – as essentially political as the debate on democracy and the transition to democracy. Violence as a multidimensional and multilevel condition signifies the absence of human security, and, as such, can be properly addressed only within the framework of freedom and the rational action of human agency to subdue violence. While many researchers focus on the processes and manifestations of violence, often linked with the trade-off between conflicts and social costs, J. Keane advocates a “non-offensive defense”. The latter means scaling down and eliminating violence by democratic means.
democracy; violence; triangle of terror; nuclear instability; uncivil wars; apocalyptic terrorism