Force as Strategy for Conflict Resolution (From Bestandaufnahme und Perspektiven der Verbrechensbekaempfung, P 127-138, 1982 - See NCJ-89221)

• NCJ Number: 89229
• Author(s): P Hofstaetter
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Bundeskriminalamt
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)
• Note: Series: BKA Vortragsreihe N 27. Lecture given at the Workshop of the Bundeskriminalamt in Wiesbaden from Nov. 9-12, 1981

Annotation

The problem of violence in society can only be understood on the basis of the Rousseauist concept of the social contract.

Abstract

The social contract postulates reciprocity between an individual and the State, whereby the former gives up his right to power and autonomy in exchange for the protection of the larger sociopolitical unit. Problems arise if society fails an individual who then may feel justified in resorting to personal justice and private violence to redress his perceived wrongs. Violent protest groups thus feel justified. The contract is upheld through education of the young in the common values, but the educational impact may be disrupted through the influence of conflicting ideas from outside the society. These principles are grounded in the philosophy of the Enlightenment (Locke, Montesque, etc.), but find their illustration in the political demonstrations, civil unrest, and threatened terrorism that mark German society today. A total of 33 references are given.