Roots of Violence

What are the root causes of violence? Is violence and aggression part of human nature? Are there possibly signs that violence is decreasing in today"s world? What insights can biology, anthropology or evolutionary psychologists provide as regards violence? What role does religion play? How is it possible to understand terror, genocide or revenge? Can we find answers to these questions or do we face the unfathomable when beholding the horrors that have so far been part of our common human history? These essays in Roots of Violence, an anthology written by distinguished writers, researchers and academics, stem from the international and interdisciplinary seminar which took place at Engelsberg Manor in April 2012 in honor of Ambassador Rolf Ekéus, arranged by Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson Foundation. Contributors: Christopher Coker, Azar Gat, Allan Guggenbu?hl, Janne Haaland Matlary, Russell Jacoby, Rob Johnson, Mark Juergensmeyer, Sudhir Kakar, Suzanne Kaplan, Tomas Lappalainen, Patricia Lewis, Robert Jay Lifton, Wolfgang Palaver, Malise Ruthven, Karl Schlögel, Nathan Shachar, Jessica Stern, Richard Swartz, Alan Wolfe.