Criminology revision
Learning outcomes
1. Critically examine the concept of violence as a phenomenon which
can occur on intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional and
international levels.
2. Critically consider more abstract forms of violence which go beyond
traditional notions of violent acts.
3. Critically appraise violent acts in light of political and social
processes which attribute legitimacy and non-legitimacy.
Genocidal homicide & rape
4 levels of violence:
International in WW2 & colonisation; organised (rather than ad hoc) using
special units or special camps; homicide & rape or both; intrapersonal?
4 types of violence: genocide is traditional violence, but involves abstract
violence to communities & future generations; since WW2 genocide has
been non-legitimate in terms of international law, but not before.
Genocidal rape. Refers to the systematic use of violence, including rape,
sexual slavery, and other forms of sexual abuse, as a tool of genocide. It is
a horrific tactic employed to terrorise, humiliate, and destroy targeted
populations during genocidal campaigns.
1. Civilising process and genocidal rape: genocidal rape represents a
profound deviation from the civilising process outlined by Elias. As
societies evolve towards greater social complexity and self-restraint,
norms against violence, especially sexual violence, are expected to
strengthen. However genocidal rape demonstrates a regression to
primitive and brutal forms of violence, undermining the progress of
civilisation.
2. Intrapersonal and interpersonal violence: genocidal rape involves
both interpersonal violence, perpetrated by individuals or group
against specific victims, and institutional violence, as it often occurs
within the context of organised genocidal campaigns orchestrated
by states actors or armed groups. The perpetrators use sexual
violence as a means of exerting power and control over the targeted
, population, inflicting physical and psychological harm on a massive
scale.
3. Legitimacy and non-legitimacy: despite the heinous nature of
genocidal rape, perpetrators often seek to justify or legitimise their
actions through ideological, ethnic, or religious narratives. This
highlights the role of political and social processes in attributing
legitimacy to violent acts. However, genocidal rape is universally
condemned as a violation of human rights and international law,
underscoring the importance of challenging narratives that seek to
justify or malice such atrocities.
Genocidal homicide and civilising process: the occurrence of genocidal
homicide, which involves the systematic extermination of specific ethnic,
religious, our social groups, can be seen a a stark deviation from the
trajectory of the civilising process. Elias argues that as societies become
more civilised, there is a grater emphasis on self-restraint and the
regulation of violence. Genocidal acts, however, represent a breakdown of
these norms and a return to more primitive and brutal forms of conflict
resolution.
4 levels of violence:
Intrapersonal violence:
- Genocidal homicide and genocidal rape can manifest as
intrapersonal violence when individuals within the perpetrating
group carry out acts of violence against members of the targeted
group. This includes cases where soldiers or military members
participate in killings or sexual violence against individuals from the
targeted ethnic or social group.
- Within the context of Elias’ civilising process, intrapersonal violence
such as genocidal homicide and rape can be seen as a regression
from the process of self-restraint and internalised social norms. As
societies evolve towards greater social constraint, individuals are
expected to exhibit greater self control and respect others rights
and dignity. However, genocidal acts represent a breakdown of
these norms, as individuals or groups engage in extreme forms of
violence against perceived enemies or out groups.
Interpersonal violence:
- At the interpersonal level, genocidal homicide and genocidal rape
involves acts of violence perpetrated by one group against another.
Learning outcomes
1. Critically examine the concept of violence as a phenomenon which
can occur on intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional and
international levels.
2. Critically consider more abstract forms of violence which go beyond
traditional notions of violent acts.
3. Critically appraise violent acts in light of political and social
processes which attribute legitimacy and non-legitimacy.
Genocidal homicide & rape
4 levels of violence:
International in WW2 & colonisation; organised (rather than ad hoc) using
special units or special camps; homicide & rape or both; intrapersonal?
4 types of violence: genocide is traditional violence, but involves abstract
violence to communities & future generations; since WW2 genocide has
been non-legitimate in terms of international law, but not before.
Genocidal rape. Refers to the systematic use of violence, including rape,
sexual slavery, and other forms of sexual abuse, as a tool of genocide. It is
a horrific tactic employed to terrorise, humiliate, and destroy targeted
populations during genocidal campaigns.
1. Civilising process and genocidal rape: genocidal rape represents a
profound deviation from the civilising process outlined by Elias. As
societies evolve towards greater social complexity and self-restraint,
norms against violence, especially sexual violence, are expected to
strengthen. However genocidal rape demonstrates a regression to
primitive and brutal forms of violence, undermining the progress of
civilisation.
2. Intrapersonal and interpersonal violence: genocidal rape involves
both interpersonal violence, perpetrated by individuals or group
against specific victims, and institutional violence, as it often occurs
within the context of organised genocidal campaigns orchestrated
by states actors or armed groups. The perpetrators use sexual
violence as a means of exerting power and control over the targeted
, population, inflicting physical and psychological harm on a massive
scale.
3. Legitimacy and non-legitimacy: despite the heinous nature of
genocidal rape, perpetrators often seek to justify or legitimise their
actions through ideological, ethnic, or religious narratives. This
highlights the role of political and social processes in attributing
legitimacy to violent acts. However, genocidal rape is universally
condemned as a violation of human rights and international law,
underscoring the importance of challenging narratives that seek to
justify or malice such atrocities.
Genocidal homicide and civilising process: the occurrence of genocidal
homicide, which involves the systematic extermination of specific ethnic,
religious, our social groups, can be seen a a stark deviation from the
trajectory of the civilising process. Elias argues that as societies become
more civilised, there is a grater emphasis on self-restraint and the
regulation of violence. Genocidal acts, however, represent a breakdown of
these norms and a return to more primitive and brutal forms of conflict
resolution.
4 levels of violence:
Intrapersonal violence:
- Genocidal homicide and genocidal rape can manifest as
intrapersonal violence when individuals within the perpetrating
group carry out acts of violence against members of the targeted
group. This includes cases where soldiers or military members
participate in killings or sexual violence against individuals from the
targeted ethnic or social group.
- Within the context of Elias’ civilising process, intrapersonal violence
such as genocidal homicide and rape can be seen as a regression
from the process of self-restraint and internalised social norms. As
societies evolve towards greater social constraint, individuals are
expected to exhibit greater self control and respect others rights
and dignity. However, genocidal acts represent a breakdown of
these norms, as individuals or groups engage in extreme forms of
violence against perceived enemies or out groups.
Interpersonal violence:
- At the interpersonal level, genocidal homicide and genocidal rape
involves acts of violence perpetrated by one group against another.
