Preventing Violence

by James Gilligan

In this controversial and compassionate book, the distinguished psychiatrist James Gilligan proposes a radically new way of thinking about violence and how to prevent it. Violence is most often addressed in moral and legal "How evil is this action, and how much punishment does it deserve?" Unfortunately, this way of thinking, the basis for our legal and political institutions, does nothing to shed light on the causes of violence. Violent criminals have been Gilligan's teachers, and he has been their student. Prisons are microcosms of the societies in which they exist, and by examining them in detail, we can learn about society as a whole. Gilligan suggests treating violence as a public health problem. He advocates initiating radical social and economic change to attack the root causes of violence, focusing on those at increased risk of becoming violent, and dealing with those who are already violent as if they were in quarantine rather than in constraint for their punishment and for society's revenge. The twentieth century was steeped in violence. If we attempt to understand the violence of individuals, we may come to prevent the collective violence that threatens our future far more than all the individual crimes put together.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Sociology, Politics

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Kony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short/sweet distillation of a now-canonical liberal theory of violence. In a crude nutshell: violence is a reaction against shame, which results from feelings of inferiority, which results from socially constructed hierarchies. Therefore: we can prevent violence by removing/mitigating its social causes.

If you're already inclined to agree - i.e. you believe that behavior reflects nature + nurture, that poverty (not sin) is the root of most evil, that corporal punishment is cruel, that gun control is good, and that Marx was onto something - then this is a handy summary of principles to reinforce your intuitions and help you articulate them better. It will get you nodding and dog-earing.

If you're not already inclined to agree - i.e. you believe in original sin, spanking your kids, gun ownership, and free-market economics - then you'll find this completely noncredible and/or morally infuriating, partly because he rests most claims on professional experience and unspoken liberal premises rather than on explicit data, expecting you to take his word for it. And you won't. You'll especially hate the last chapter, if you get that far.

[Riley Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little bit dated but does provide a compelling and helpful overview of violence, what causes it and how we can prevent it! Violence isn’t inevitable. We can prevent it and we have the tools needed to dramatically reduce incidents of violence.

[Hesper · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sequel of sorts to Violence: Reflections on a National Epidemic, with some interesting and useful ideas lost in a jungle of premature conclusions, fast-and-loose organization and perfunctory research. The very brief section on Columbine is wildly inaccurate; it utilizes cultural myths about the event to buttress an opinion presented as fact.

Probably the most interesting part about this book is Gilligan's approach to the problem of violence: it is a social pathogen with distinct vectors, and, like any virus, it requires specific preventive measures to reduce risks of further infection. One of these, and easily the most intriguing idea presented, is the restructuring of the prison system to emphasize rehabilitation and social reintegration through education.

However, the manner in which these ideas are conveyed practically ensures that only those whose views are sympathetic to the author's will find the information meaningful. There simply isn't enough evidence to sustain the likely all-too-true argument. An academic text it is not. While I agree with the substance of what Gilligan has to say, I find it difficult to recommend something this sloppily constructed.

[Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...the foundation on which all relationships must be based, if they are going to be able to lead away from violence rather than toward it, is an attitude of genuine, mutual respect."

A quick, but sobering and powerful read, this book has valuable and even vital insights to take into work in communities that suffer from violent cultures. Sadly, this 2001 publication is still all-too relevant in so much of America almost twenty years later. I work in an underfunded school with a culture that can sometimes feel over-disciplinarian with many kids that deal with trauma and violence. I find the insights in this book to be valuable tools to hang on to and remember in over-stressed moments where patience has become thin. I am hoping this read helps me work with a little more kindness and patience with my kids going into the new year.

[Leonardo]

"...la manera más efectiva de convertir a una persona no violenta en violenta es mandarla a prisión".

Desigualdad Pág.178

[Charles Collyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to Violence: Reflections on a National Epidemic. The first book identifies the psychological "germ" that causes violent behavior - being shamed or disrespected. This second book develops the implications of the shame theory for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of violence.

One strength of Gilligan's work is that he is specific about cause and effect; it is not just a correlational exercise, although that kind of data is supportive of his theory. Another strength is that he can use his theory to explain the backwardness of current policies on crime and judicial practices that rely on imprisonment to punish offenders. These policies and practices are precisely the way to increase crime and violence.

Gilligan's ideas support the use of education and restorative justice in corrections. Programs based on these ideas do work, but are often fragile in the face of political calls to "get tough on crime." Tragically, tough on crime approaches increase rather than decrease crime.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presents some interesting ideas on violence. I am particularly keen on the "anti-prison." I had the good fortune to be in a working group with the author at an Institute of Medicine meeting last June and was able to futher benefit from his lifelong experience in the field in person. Anyone who's professional life is centered on the reduction or prevention of violence should pick this up.

[Toby Mustill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book much more complete than it’s predecessor “Violence”. This book is also much more profound in that it does not just look at the issue of violence on a micro level (i.e. violence is committed due to shame and circumstance) but it also explains the predictors and causes of shame on a macro level (i.e. economic systems). This book also caused a revelation in me: the middle class is too caught up in being angry at the lower class for being poor when we should be angry at the upper class for creating (and perpetuating) those conditions that create poverty and therefore violence. 100% well worth the read!

[Can Özer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is pretty repetitive unless you really have no idea how to prevent violence in the first place. The solutions are backed up by research, which is good, though it is the research of 20 years ago and can feel a bit dated at times.

Gilligan's two main points are (I) violence is to be treated as pathological, and (II) the discussion is intentionally empirical, not philosophical. So don't expect any arguments for why we should abolish prisons and implement rehabilitation programs other than that the latter simply causes less reoffending.

[James Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violence is caused by overwhelming shame and is always a last resort.

I will use the insights from this book in my work with children, teaching them to use words when they feel overwhelmed. This book also gives a different lens to view the world and the politics of the U.S.

We can't forget that it is in the interest of some politicians to uphold violence so as to place public anger toward the lower class rather than those in power who uphold our unjust criminal justice and economic systems.

[Rachelcamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who wants to understand violence or identify solutions for violence must read this book. It is eye-opening, smart, accessible and, imo, totally spot on.

[Lars Berntsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hvorfor er sosialisme alltid svaret?

[Gileno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard of this book first time when I saw it on the list for basic reading of the Zeitgeist Movement Brasil(of which I'm not an activist, but curious about). It supposedly would bring another view of criminal justice from a guy who works deep inside the prisons in US.
For a long time I've been postponing the reading of this book. My bad... The book is awesome. And made me think about some of the principles I chose to guide my life in politics, ethics...
The use of concepts like violence, punishment, restraint, retribution are more definite in my vocabulary now.
I'd love to see a portuguese version of it. See if they could find the relative data here in Brazil to check the universality of its teachings. (Although, he presents data from Europe.)
In general, a very good book. And not so unpretentious as I thought it would be. By coincidence, I just read the classic "On crime and punishments" of Cesare Beccaria and I think Gilligan's book should receive equal attention by the Law Academics. Perhaps it will...

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very academic-type book; you learn a lot about the psychology of violence and why people turn to violence, as well as how it can be prevented. I'm no psychology buff, but it kept my attention. I wouldn't read it for fun though, I wouldn't have read the book if it hadn't been a requirement for class.

[Herald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great James Gilligan's book. A kind of a synthesis on the previous one with wider explanations.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful analysis of violence from someone who works in prisons and is thus aware of the social dimensions of violence and the role of shame. Highly recommended.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and straightforward look at violence from a public health perspective as well as some of the obstacles to preventing violence faced by US society.

[Angel Salinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've ever read that helps understand human behavior and why people commit violence. An amazing book!

[deda mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome and insightful