Routledge Handbook on Transformations of Political Violence

This new handbook explores, organizes, and analyses current research on political violence in a changing global context. Drawing from diverse disciplines—political science, sociology, anthropology, history, as well as cultural and legal studies—the volume comprehensively surveys current research, providing an interdisciplinary overview that transcends traditional boundaries. At the heart of the volume lies the concept of “transformations.” The handbook delves into three pivotal questions: (1) how have forms of political violence evolved over time? (2) what role do institutions play in shaping these changes? (3) how do different stakeholders interpret and ascribe meaning to varying manifestations of political violence? Offering a systematic approach, the volume provides statistical insights and pivotal case studies, bridging epistemological and methodological boundaries. Mapping the contemporary terrain of political violence, the book provides readers with a versatile toolbox enabling them to engage with both the dynamics of violence and the underlying political context. The work’s process-oriented paradigm facilitates dialogues between disciplines, shedding light on recent trends and providing a nuanced understanding of political violence in our complex world. This book will be of much interest to students of political violence, terrorism studies, sociology, politics and International Relations in general.