Can Political Violence Ever Be Justified?

Violence is an enduring global reality, but it is often believed to be unnecessary. Elizabeth Frazer and Kimberly Hutchings argue that all attempts to justify political violence fail, and that it is an inevitable element of politics. This book is essential reading for students and scholars of the ethics and politics of political violence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2019
Publisher: Polity Press

Violence, spanning from state coercion to wars and revolutions, persists as a steadfast global reality. However, prevailing notions often suggest that the primary objective of constitutional politics is to render violence obsolete. Conversely, others contend that violence is an inherent and indispensable aspect of politics. In this insightful and scholarly work, Elizabeth Frazer and Kimberly Hutchings delve into these critical topics, employing vivid contemporary and historical examples to shed light on the subject. Through meticulous exploration, they examine the various strategies employed to justify violence, whether as a tool to achieve specific ends or as an intrinsic feature of political dynamics. By examining the complex nuances of different forms of violence, they ultimately conclude that all attempts to rationalize political violence fail. This book serves as an indispensable introductory text for students and scholars engaged in the study of ethics and politics of political violence.

Weight: 150g
Dimension: 125 x 189 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509529216