Description
Book SynopsisContrary to those observers who attribute group violence to irrationality, primordial instinct, or complex psychology, this work uncovers a systematic exploitation of self-interest in the underpinnings of group identification and collective violence. It also uses examples from Mafia vendettas to ethnic violence in places such as Bosnia and Rwanda.
Trade ReviewWinner of the 1996 Award for Best Professional/Scholarly Book in Government and Political Science, Association of American Publishers "[The book] is written with acute moral sensitivity by a utilitarian individualist who not only wishes to explain what is going on in the world, but also tries to score points against the political practice, as well as the philosophical theory, of communitarianism."--Claus Offe, American Journal of Sociology "Hardin is invariably interesting in both his analyses and supporting materials. It is clear that a first-rate mind is at work here... [The book] is innovative in developing the coordination game, reads well, and clearly will stimulate thinking on the future directions of game-theoretic analyses of norm development in social groups... Essential reading."--Manus Midlarsky, Journal of Politics "A probing theoretical analysis of the way in which individuals come to identify with a group, and of their motivations for acting on the group's behalf... The writing is elegant and thoughtful... "--Choice "An important, provocative assault on communitarianism and multiculturalist political theory and practice... Hardin undoubtedly displays considerable ingenuity in trying to bring rational order to the analysis of Serbs fighting Croats [among many examples]... The range and sophistication of [Hardin's] applications of rational choice theory is breathtakingly adroit."--Bart Schultz, Canadian Philosophical Reviews "This is a marvelous book written with passion yet analytic attention."--Keith Dowding, Political Science
Table of ContentsPrefacePoetry and Painting3Poetry and Music39Paradise and Wilderness67Public and Private Art95The Contrariety of Impulses123Art and Morality149Notes177List of Illustrations193Index195
