"Cowritten by historical sociologist Daniel Chirot and psychologist Clark McCauley, the book goes beyond exploring the motives that have provided the psychological underpinnings for genocidal killings. It offers a historical and comparative context that adds up to a causal taxonomy of genocidal events. Rather than suggesting that such horrors are the product of abnormal or criminal minds, the authors emphasize the normality of these horrors: killing by category has occurred on every continent and in every century. But genocide is much less common than the imbalance of power that makes it possible. Throughout history human societies have developed techniques aimed at limiting intergroup violence. Incorporating ethnographic, historical, and current political evidence, this book examines the mechanisms of constraint that human societies have employed to temper partisan passions and reduce carnage."--BOOK JACKET. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

While scholars have been pondering what causes genocide since the Holocaust, Chirot and McCauley have turned the question around. Given the opportunities for one group to thoroughly dominate another, why aren't there more examples of this grisly phenomenon? The answer to this book's provocative title-question suggests that genocide and ethnic cleansings might occur far more frequently were it not for a variety of political mechanisms that now facilitate the management of dangerous conflicts between groups. In essence this is a hopeful book, thoughtfully conceived by coauthors in sociology and psychology. The scope is impressive, from the study of "how to get ordinary people to become butchers" to "individual rights and pluralists histories." The authors provide a rich analytical perspective on atrocities and mass murders throughout history, considering economic conditions as well as social psychological variables. This work compares favorably with many recent books on the subject of genocide and even complements the best, such as Benjamin Valentino's Final Solutions: Mass Killings in the Twentieth Century (CH, Oct'04, 42-1215), which emphasizes the strategic calculations of political leaders who promoted mass murders in the 20th century. Both studies conclude with constructive prescriptions to discourage the emergence of future genocides beyond Darfur. Summing Up: Essential. All levels. General Readers; Lower-division Undergraduates; Upper-division Undergraduates; Graduate Students; Researchers/Faculty; Two-year Technical Program Students; Professionals/Practitioners. Reviewed by P. G. Conway. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Clark McCauley is Professor of Psychology at Bryn Mawr College, Director of the Solomon Asch Center for Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Co-Director of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction: Are We Killers or Peacemakers?	1
Chapter 1 Why Genocides? Are They Different Now Than in the Past?	11
The Four Main Motives Leading to Mass Political Murder	19
Are Modern Genocides and Ethnic Cleansings Different? Retribalization and the Modern State	45
Chapter 2 The Psychological Foundations of Genocidal Killing	51
How to Get Ordinary People to Become Butchers	52
Organization	57
Emotional Appeals: Leaders and Followers	58
Essentializing Others	81
The Dangerous Similar Others	87
The Conditions of Genocide	90
Chapter 3 Why Is Limited Warfare More Common Than Genocide?	95
Weighing the Costs of Genocidal Conflicts	97
Limiting the Damage of Warfare	99
Exogamy: Making the Enemy Part of the Family	103
Establishing Codes of Warfare and Exchange to Limit Violence	111
Are Rules of Exogamy, Codes of Honor, and Potlatching Still Relevant?	116
The Mercantile Compulsion	121
Morality and Modesty: Rejecting Certitude	134
Yearning for Solutions	147
Chapter 4 Strategies to Decrease the Chances of Mass Political Murder in Our Time	149
State Policies That Reduce Hostility between Groups	155
Limiting Demands for Justice and Revenge	180
Modest Solutions and Small-Scale Changes to Promote Tolerance	187
The Crucial Role of States in Promoting Peaceful Exchanges	199
Individual Rights and Pluralist Histories	203
Conclusion: Our Question Answered	211
References	219
Index	249

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.