FANATICS - Hardcover

Taylor, Maxwell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0080362745 ISBN 13: 9780080362748

Publisher: Brassey's (UK) Ltd, 1991

Synopsis

This analysis of the relationship between violence and politics - and in particular of the use of violence by what the author describes as "non-state combatants" to achieve political ends - examines the psychological basis of ideology, the Millenarian motive, Arendt's concept of the significance of "public space" and the concept of "Groupthink". Using case studies, the book draws upon Hitler's rise to power, the question of the "normality" of the SS guards in Nazi concentration camps and, when considering "the normality of excess", the massacre at Mai Lai by American troops in March 1968, during the Vietnam War. The author concludes that there is little likelihood that political violence will diminish in the years ahead, but that there will be changes of style and motivation. He urges that no opportunity should be lost towards gaining a better understanding of its enormously powerful forces.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brassey's (UK) Ltd
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0080362745
• ISBN 13: 9780080362748
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 290