THE NATURE OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Studies of political violence differ in basic concepts, & also in specific analytic features such as which facts are relevant, whether emphasis should be at the individual, group, or system level, & which epistemological perspective is appropriate. A definition of political violence should seemingly include group or collective action, organized character, opposition to the legitimacy of the governing regime, concern to produce change, high probability of resistance by the governing regime, & risk of injury & economic cost to both participants & opponents. A variety of scales & classifications of political violence are reviewed. Events seem generally to be ordered in terms of both potential for damage & injury, & challenge to governmental stability. 3 Tables. W. H. Stoddard.