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Summary of readings collective violence
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Summary of all mandatory readings collective violence. From minor violence reached by Faculty Governance and Global Affairs.
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Readings Collective ViolenceLecture 1 Introduction
Belavadi, Rinella, Hogg (2020). When social identity-defining groups become
violent
The chapter "When Social Identity-Defining Groups Become Violent" explores how identity-
defining groups escalate into violence under specific psychological and social conditions.
1. Role of Uncertainty and Identity:
Individuals facing uncertainty about their identity or future are drawn to rigid, well-
defined groups that provide a clear sense of belonging and purpose. Threats to a
group’s distinctiveness or survival amplify this dynamic, leading to stronger in-group
boundaries and antagonism toward out-groups.
2. Social Identity and Radicalization:
Group identity becomes central in divisive contexts, where narratives of victimhood
and superiority are used to mobilize members. Leaders, especially authoritarian ones,
exploit identity uncertainty to enforce conformity and encourage hostility toward out-
groups.
3. Conditions for Violence:
Factors like resource competition, perceived threats, and dehumanizing narratives
escalate intergroup conflict. These are often accompanied by ideological justifications
portraying out-groups as dangerous or morally inferior.
4. Leaders and Mobilization:
Leaders play a pivotal role by shaping group ideologies, intensifying divisions, and
legitimizing violence as necessary for the in-group's survival or moral superiority.
5. Mechanisms of Justification:
Narratives of dehumanization and collective victimhood enable in-group members to
see violence as justified or even noble, framing the out-group as a homogeneous
enemy.
Zahn ,Brownstein, Jackson (2004). Violence: from theory to research
Five Criteria to a good theory: Parsimony: Theories need to explain and not confuse,
Originality, Testability, Generalizability: how useful in other settings Validity.
Violence Theories are needed because violence is more than crime. Hitting children or
woman is/was normalized for some, so it is violence but not crime.
Definitions of violence vary in many ways
1. Level of behavior: Individual, interpersonal or collective
2. Degree of force: physical, verbal, intimidation
3. Outcome of force: injury or not
4. Type of injury: physical, depriving control, degrading
5. Targets: intended or incidental, persons or properties or symbolic things
6. Intentionality: intentional or not
These differential definitions challenge our ability to integrate theories and research findings.
,Lecture 2. Why join a violent group (1)
Vecchio & Carson (2022). Understanding the Role of Violence and Conflict in
the Stages of Gang Membership
The text explores the role of violence in gang membership, emphasizing its significance
across all stages. Before joining, youth often seek protection from violence, while others with
violent tendencies are drawn to gangs. Social learning theory explains how violence
provides rewards (like status) that reinforce membership but may later be viewed as
punishing, leading to disengagement.
Gang members face frequent victimization, both from rivals and within their groups, which
can lead to "violence fatigue." Leaving often requires a change in identity and reevaluation
of gang life’s risks and rewards. These insights can guide interventions to help members leave
gangs by using violent experiences as turning points.
The analysis focused on 39 youths from two emergent gang cities, Nashville and a Dallas-Fort
Worth suburb. These areas were chosen for their diversity, stability in gang issues, and
representation of common gang types.
Violence occurred both between gangs (44%) and within gangs (33%). Key reasons for
leaving included violence fatigue (28%), loss of the gang’s protective role (15%), and direct
victimization (18%). Over time, violent experiences—direct, vicarious, or involving
harassment—shifted the perception of gang membership from rewarding to punishing.
Recommendations include early intervention in middle schools and leveraging experiences
of violence, as opportunities to encourage disengagement.
Kimmel (2018) Healing from Hate: How Young Men Get Into-and Out of-
Violent Extremism
In "Germany: Anti-Semites Without Jews’ Michael Kimmel explores the rise of far-right
extremism in Germany, particularly among young men, even in the absence of a large Jewish
population to target directly. These individuals embrace anti-Semitism, not necessarily
because they encounter Jewish people in their lives, but because it fits into the broader
narrative of scapegoating (blaming a certain group) used by extremist ideologies to promote
feelings of victimhood and frustration among young men.
The ideologies of neo-Nazism and white nationalism provide a sense of purpose and
empowerment, allowing recruits to reclaim a distorted sense of manhood by rejecting the
values of a liberal, multicultural society. These men are drawn to movements that promise to
restore their perceived lost masculinity through violent extremism. The emotional and
psychological processes draw young men into such groups, showing how ideology, identity,
and masculinity intertwine to form a powerful force that keeps them engaged in violent
extremism. Kimmel suggests that understanding the gendered aspects of extremism is crucial
for interventions that aim to prevent or reverse radicalization.
Kimmel explores individual stories to illustrate how extremist groups (neo-Nazi groups) prey
on young men who feel disillusioned. Masculinity plays a role in attracting and keeping them
in violent ideologies. Matthias, an ex-neo-Nazi, is interviewed. Extremism offers a sense of
identity and purpose, wrapped in the language of reclaiming lost masculinity, to young men.
Young men are attracted to these movements because they promise a return to a glorified,
, rigid version of masculinity—one where they are not victims of a society they perceive as
emasculating or politically correct.
Leaving these movements is not easy. The bonds formed, both emotional and ideological,
create a barrier to exit. Despite the personal desire to leave behind violence and hate, many
former members struggle with the stigma and rejection they face when attempting to
reintegrate into mainstream society. Addressing these young men's need for masculinity and
belonging is key to both understanding and curbing the appeal of extremist ideologies.
The Toronto 18 planned a large-scale terrorist attack in 2006, intending to bomb major
Canadian cities and government buildings during Ramadan. The plot, motivated by
grievances against Western intervention in Afghanistan, was stopped when Mubin Shaikh, a
former jihadist turned informant, infiltrated the group.
Mubin, raised in a strict Muslim family, struggled with personal trauma, cultural alienation,
and religious radicalization. Disillusioned by the misinterpretation of Islamic teachings by
extremists, he collaborated with Canadian law enforcement to dismantle the group. The trial
resulted in significant convictions. Mubin now works on deradicalization, using his
experiences to guide young men away from extremism and toward constructive self-
reflection and understanding of authentic Islamic principles.
Buford (1991).Among the thugs
The author’s experiences among football supporters in Manchester, blending humorous
anecdotes and stark observations. Focuses on Mick, a hooligan, who excessive drinks, and
camaraderie. Mick’s behavior illustrates a subculture of football "firms" – groups of
passionate and sometimes violent supporters – and their rituals surrounding matches. Mick
and his peers consume copious amounts of alcohol, leading to increasingly reckless behavior.
Cultural Insights: The text delves into the social dynamics of hooligans, highlighting
leadership, and their sense of identity.
The story captures both the camaraderie (kameraadschap) and the darker aspects of this
subculture, mixing humor with critiques of destructive tendencies.
Author meets a group of football hooligans from Manchester during a game. It explores the
psychology and motivations behind their violent behavior, as well as the sense of identity and
belonging that fuels it. The individuals, express a deep connection to their group and its
rituals. Football hooliganism, for them, isn’t just about violence—it's a form of identity and
ritualistic bonding. Strong camaraderie, where violence becomes an outlet for frustration,
anger, and a way of asserting masculinity, the violence bonds them. Some act as leaders,
guiding the violence with tactical awareness and providing a sense of direction. They discuss
the need for leadership and organization to execute violence efficiently, with references to
strategic planning and hierarchical structures within the group. Violence is justified through a
sense of collective purpose. There’s also a sense of justification through peer pressure and
the belief that others share the same desire for violence.
Individuals in the crowd lose their identity and act collectively, driven by a primal urge for
violence. The crowd's energy escalates, moving toward acts of aggression with police and
rivals, with tension rising until the moment of potential violence. people in the crowd are
drawn into violence, even if they might not have acted violently alone. The violence in the
crowd is portrayed as a social act, where the need to belong and the group dynamic
outweigh individual reason. Those involved often view themselves as justified or part of the
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