|
Violence and Democracy John Keane |
|
In this provocative book, 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 on 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. He
probes the disputed meanings of the term 'violence', and asks why violence is
the greatest enemy of democracy, and why today's global 'triangle of
violence' is tempting politicians to invoke undemocratic emergency powers. Throughout, Keane gives prominence
to ethical questions, such as the circumstances in which violence can be justified,
and argues that violent behavior & means of violence can and should be
'democratized' - made publicly accountable to others, so encouraging efforts
to erase surplus prominence from the
world. |
|
|