Violence As A Solution?

In the 1960s, many of the colonial nations of Africa were gaining independence. The ANC was encouraged and campaigned for democracy in South Africa. They were mild campaigns at first, but as the government became more hostile, so did ANC protests. In November 1961, a military branch of the party was organized with Mandela as its head. It authorized the limited use of arms and sabotage against the government, which got the government’s attention—and its anger! Mandela went into hiding in 1964, he was captured, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment. It was a sad day for black South Africa.

“The practice of violence, like all action, changes the world, but the most probable change is to a more violent world” (Arendt pg 80). Violence is contagious, like a disease, which will destroy nations and our morals as human beings. Each individual has his or her own definition of violence and when it is acceptable or ethical to use it. Martin Luther King Jr., Walter Benjamin, and Hannah Arendt are among the many that wrote about the different facets of violence, in what cases it is ethical, the role we as individuals play in this violent society and the political aspects behind our violence.

While when discussing the history of the world’s power forces, violence makes for stimulating discussion, other tactics were put to good use, one of these alternatives being non-violence. With the guidance of three worldwide heroes - Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela - with contagious optimism and high spirits, it became apparent just how much of a difference could be made carried out through non-violent terms. Mankind was introduced to another way to resolve major problems just as effectively, if not more, than violence could.

Violence is one of the most exaggerated forms of physical aggression and it can exist for a series of reasons. It involves a person or a group of persons acting against another person or groups of persons with the purpose to achieve one or several diverse goals. In many cases violence results from individuals perceiving the acts of other people as hostile and thus wanting to act against these people before it is too late. Depending on the situation, more or less individuals might get involved in an act of violence, especially when they consider that it would be essential for them to do so.

In many conflicts there are many different endings to them; arguments every day, accidents, wounds, injuries, broken hearts, and even deaths. Many ignorant people resolve their problems in fights and they hurt one

Violence is an unavoidable terror that has played one of the, if not the most, important roles in all of history. Without violence, lands wouldn’t be conquered, empires wouldn’t fall, and people wouldn’t have any limits or restrictions. The French Revolution is one example of a violent uprising because the people of France revolted against the rule of King Louis XVI by raiding, storming, and slaughtering for their natural equal rights. The revolution marked the end of a government ruled by monarchy and the start of the Republic of France. One important reason of why the revolution was successful in bringing political change was because it was violent.

It is said that up to thirty thousand men may have died at the battle of Hastings, a conflict that occurred almost one thousand years ago. World War II, which lasted less than seven years, has been estimated to be responsible for up to forty million deaths. Thus, many people often ask the question why? Why does such conflict occur? Who or what is responsible? The culprit does not hide nor has it escaped scrutiny and blame. It comes in many shapes and sizes, faces and places. It is called violence and the potential for it resides in every single person on this earth. Whose violence conquers all? It is hard to measure the significance of violence, especially when it can cause so much destruction and death as well as stimulation. However,

There are two sides to many things, one could argue that there are two sides to everything. Violence is not excluded from this argument. The two possible sides, or viewpoints, that are a result of violence can easily be seen as extremes of either side. One side could argue that violence is something that is necessary and the other argue that violence is only a tool for destruction. People who insist that violence is necessary in order to move forward view it as a way to sway the outcome to their benefit. For those who see violence as a cowardly tactic to control people, violence is a useless display of power and dominance. Yet violence has also been a way to defend oneself from people who pose a threat. This can lead people who have good

“Violence is never the answer.” This saying has caused many arguments, there are many people who believe that violence is the right thing to do in every occasion. However violence should not be a thing, violence can never be justified. Humans have gotten to comfortable with violence, we don't even acknowledge murders anymore, we act like it is an everyday thing now because we see violence so frequently.

For centuries, violence has been the go to way to settle conflicts, but it has also been very controversial throughout the years. While some say war is important in order to maintain our freedom, it is actually a very unnecessary and destructive way of settling conflicts because it kills so many innocent people and it hardly ever accomplishes anything for such a hefty price.

As you read about differing ways of life, values, and perspectives on the world, reflect on the appropriateness of force as a way of resolving conflicts. As with anything, force can be a powerful motivator and successful in maintaining peace or achieving a goal, because of the use of fear. Fear is an influential instrument and one of the most powerful and controlling aspects of humanity. I believe that to some degree, force can be necessary or even helpful. In a rioting country or city (as we have seen in St. Louis, Missouri) force can be useful to demonstrate the kiaros position of the government and preserve lives. Furthermore, many countries and religions, such as Islam, base any injustice on a system of grace and force. Despite positive elements to using force, in many situations, it is better to negotiate. In America, we have a strong military, which we have invested in over many decades, it is a good reminder that force can be used, but for the most part, we negotiate and set regulations. This, similar to parenting, establishes a sense of authority, but also of respect from each

Although some may argue that physical force is the best way to deal with conflict such as a war, it can lead to water contamination, pollution, and perhaps chemical and nuclear fallout. Many day-to-day arguments do not end with a fist fight. The parties involved can communicate with one another to avoid these things. Communicating can also avoid lives being lost.

Violence is an issue in human nature. Everyone has their own definition and their own interpretations of violence. The big question is if the world is still growing in its violent nature, or is it finally reaching its solemn, peaceful generation. The evolution of violence has grown in many different paths from survival of the fittest, genocide, slavery, etc. According to Steven Pinker’s article “Violence Vanquished,” he explains how the world is entering an era of peace because we do not deal with the same violence our ancestors did in the past. That is true. We abolished slavery, stopped brutal wars, and revolutionized with strategies such as commerce. Pinker analyzes his arguments very well, but negates common issues of violence that we still

In the article “Why The World Is More Peaceful”, the author, Steven Pinker (2012), argues that, over hundreds of years, violence has declined around the world. He claims that government, commerce, and literacy have encouraged people to restrain their violent impulses, empathize with others, and use reason to solve problems. This article was first published in the journal Current History. It is a continuation of an argument Pinker made in his book The Better Angels Of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined (2011). The article is directed toward a general but educated audience. Although Pinker’s article is relevant and logical, many of the author’s arguments are not supported with adequate

the change for a peaceful future. In today's society violence is saturating the minds of