Is the world becoming increasingly violent? In this remarkable study of the history of the use of force, political scientist James Payne shows that this impression is seriously misleading. The historical trend is against the use of physical force. His research covers dozens of coercive practices, from human sacrifice, war, and genocide to slavery, taxation, and capital punishment. Payne explains how the trend against force underlies political and economic changes. The development of democratic institutions requires that political leaders put violent practices like murder and revolution behind. For this reason, democracy cannot be sustained in cultures with a strong emphasis on force. Economic development also depends on a decline in violence. Markets cannot function and industry cannot thrive until civil war, mob violence, and military seizure abate. With its broad scope and vigorous writing, this exciting book offers a new perspective for interpreting the past--and for understanding the future.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
This ambitious book by political scientist and conservative social analyst Payne is one-of-a-kind. Until now no one has produced a historically comprehensive and philosophically coherent view of worldwide downward trends in the use of force of all kinds. Payne sweeps up everything from international war to homicide, street violence, and even taxation; on the other side, he tracks positive trends in civil and economic freedoms. Data and cases cited are primarily Western, with hints of the West versus the rest, but he argues that the downward directions in violence are evident globally. Convinced of the inexorable historical trend against force and the corresponding loss of government capacity and public approval, Payne advocates increased voluntarism self-help efforts coupled with philanthropy and greater freedom as mechanisms of governance without government. As with any pioneering and provocative work of such proportions and implications, this book will doubtless draw criticism on methodological and philosophical grounds. Nevertheless, its originality, breadth, accessible style, and prognostications recommend it to libraries from public through university levels. --Choice, Outstanding Academic Titles, 2005
About the Author
James L. Payne has taught political science at Yale, Wesleyan, Johns Hopkins and Texas A&M University. He has written widely on public affairs, with articles publishes in Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. His recent books include a study of militarism (Why Nations Arm), an analysis of Congress (The Culture of Spending), and an exploration of social assistance (Overcoming Welfare: Expecting More from the Poor--and from Ourselves).
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Cogs
Format:Paperback
This brilliant book convincingly shows that, contrary to the opinion of most educated people, violence has steadily declined over the centuries and millennia. The practical relevance of this finding is obvious: If we could identify the causes, maybe we could bottle them and enjoy even further reductions. And it raises key questions about our species and how it responds to different environments with aggression or tolerance. The only flaws of this book are its essentially anarchist politics (which would seem to be refuted by the outbreaks of violence whenever government breaks down) and the fact that the author chose to self-publish and hence forgo the publicity and distribution that this important and engrossing book deserves.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Blomqvist
Format:Paperback
Wow! I read this and learned a lot. Payne argues that, looking at all of history, humans have become less and less inclined to use force. He surveys all of history and cites many facts to buttress his argument. The degree of violence in the world today is exaggerated, he argues convincingly. The media and others tend to distort the true amount of violence. In fact, we live in very peaceful times, for the most part. Read this book and you may become convinced. He examines trends in plundering neighboring tribes, committing genocide, murder, and even taxation, all of which are uses of force. The sweep of this book is incredible. The style of this book makes it a pleasure to read, without the usual academic mumbo jumbo that history or political science books too often have. Even if you don't agree with the author's conclusion, reading this will give you some food for thought.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A History of Force presents extensive data that support the notion that humanity is becoming more empathetic, kinder, less violent, despite what we hear and see in the news. I highly recommend this book to anybody, but especially to those who are convinced that humanity is going to screw up massively. I think we're going to make it.
Format:Paperback
It is easy to get caught up in day-to-day life and to not see the bigger picture. This book helps you step back and see what has been happening over the course of thousands of years. Well-written and well-researched, this book is not only informative, but enjoyable to read as well. You may not agree with everything the author says, but if you read this book you will be a wiser person. I wish all authors could capture a topic like Payne can.
2 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The author claims, in several places, that other researchers selectly choose their historical data to buttress their arguments. He does the same.
Typical of Left Libertarians (but not just them), he modifies definitions of terms which he then proceeds to prove in his arguments and marshalling of (selective) facts. When that is not sufficient, he simply skips over any data that might contradict his (redefined) term.
Mr. Payne asserts that a debtor who fails to repay has not initiated the use of force, but the court that orders the seizure of his assets has. Such a tendentious line of reasoning betrays his flawed understanding of both the role of courts and the legal definition of failure to fulfill a contract.
He shows his true colors when he dismisses the murder of Jews in World War II as an "atrocity", because the word "genocide" was not coined until 1944. To be sure, he mentions no statistics for the dead of, and caused by, Germany, and the Soviet Union up to his cutoff point of 1950 and, more glaringly, China and Cambodia after that. Statistics and data can be so troubling.
He defines terrorism so as to include the the Irgun in Mandatory Palestine, but not the Paelstinian terror groups in the years immediately preceding the publication of book. Apparently, he likes his Toynbee, whereby fossils don't count, especially in his equations.
A true Left Libertarian read, unfortunately.
Typical of Left Libertarians (but not just them), he modifies definitions of terms which he then proceeds to prove in his arguments and marshalling of (selective) facts. When that is not sufficient, he simply skips over any data that might contradict his (redefined) term.
Mr. Payne asserts that a debtor who fails to repay has not initiated the use of force, but the court that orders the seizure of his assets has. Such a tendentious line of reasoning betrays his flawed understanding of both the role of courts and the legal definition of failure to fulfill a contract.
He shows his true colors when he dismisses the murder of Jews in World War II as an "atrocity", because the word "genocide" was not coined until 1944. To be sure, he mentions no statistics for the dead of, and caused by, Germany, and the Soviet Union up to his cutoff point of 1950 and, more glaringly, China and Cambodia after that. Statistics and data can be so troubling.
He defines terrorism so as to include the the Irgun in Mandatory Palestine, but not the Paelstinian terror groups in the years immediately preceding the publication of book. Apparently, he likes his Toynbee, whereby fossils don't count, especially in his equations.
A true Left Libertarian read, unfortunately.
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