Overcoming Evil: Genocide, Violent Conflict, and Terrorism

Winner of the 2013 Ursula Gielen Global Psychology Book Award. Winner of the International Society of Political Psychology Alexander George Book Award. Overcoming Evil identifies the root causes of genocide, violent conflict, and terrorism, informed by Ervin Staub's 30 years in the field. An understanding of these root causes is essential for mapping ways to move beyond violence. In this landmark volume, Staub lays out principles and practices to prevent violence, halt ongoing violence, and promote reconciliation to prevent the recurrence of violence. In analyzing violence, Staub considers difficult conditions of life, conflict, repression, culture, the institutions of society, individual and group psychology, the evolution of violence, and the behavior of witnesses or bystanders within and outside societies. To move beyond violence, it is necessary to humanize the other, to heal from past victimization, and develop cultures and institutions that help curb violence. The book considers how all this can be accomplished, and how caring values and moral courage for action can develop.