A Natural History of Peace / Edition 1

by Thomas A. Gregor

Overview

A stimulating and innovative consideration of the concept, causes, and practice of peace in societies both ancient and modern, human and primate.

We know a great deal about aggression, conflict, and war, but relatively little about peace, partially because it has been such a scarce phenomenon throughout history and in our own times. Peace is more than the absence of war. Peace requires special relationships, structures, and attitudes to promote and protect it.

A Natural History of Peace provides the first broadly interdisciplinary examination of peace as viewed from the perspectives of social anthropology, primatology, archeology, psychology, political science, and economics. Among other notable features, this volume offers:

a major theory concerning the evolution of peace and violence through human history;
an in-depth comparative study of peaceful cultures with the goal of discovering what it is that makes them peaceful;

one of the earliest reports of a new theory of the organization and collapse of ancient Maya civilization;

a comparative examination of peace from the perspective of change, including the transition of one of the world's most violent societies to a relatively peaceful culture, and the decision-making process of terrorists who abandon violence;

and a theory of political change that sees the conclusion of wars as uniquely creative periods in the evolution of peace among modern nations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826512802
Publisher:	Vanderbilt University Press
Publication date:	06/30/1996
Edition description:	1st ed
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Editor Thomas A. Gregor is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Vanderbilt University.

Editorial Reviews

For professionals charged with planning and managing coastal areas, or for courses in beach management. Deals with the origin of beaches, the processes at work on them, the causes of beach erosion and accretion, and the ways in which the coast has been modified by anti-erosion structures. Also considers the emplacement of artificial beaches and the use and development of beaches for recreation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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