This book provides a novel approach to the social scientific study of violence. It argues for an 'extended' definition of violence in order to avoid subscribing to commonsensical or state propagated definitions of violence, and pays specific attention to 'autotelic violence' (violence for the sake of itself), as well as to terrorism.

'A sparkling display of breathtaking erudition and mind-boggling analytical incisiveness.' - Zygmunt Bauman, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Leeds, UK and University of Warsaw, Poland

Autorentext
WILLEM SCHINKEL is Associate Professor of Theoretical Sociology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He has published books and articles on theoretical sociology and various subjects such as citizenship, the state and art. His previous publications include Globalization and the State .

Inhalt
PART I: THE CONCEPT AND OBSERVATION OF VIOLENCE Introduction: Aspects of Violence The Definition of Violence: Part I The Definition of Violence: Part II From Critique of Violence to Autotelic Violence: Rereading Walter Benjamin PART II: FORMS OF VIOLENCE The Will to Violence The Continuation of Violence by Other Means: Terrorism A Note on Causes of High School Violence The Trias Violentiae For a New Social Science of Violence Index