Violence and Civilization: An Introduction to the Work of Norbert Elias

by Jonathan Fletcher

This book provides an introduction to the work of Norbert Elias. It is the first systematic appraisal of two central themes of his thought - violence and civilization. Although Elias is best known for his theory of civilizing processes, this study highlights the crucial importance of the concept of decivilizing processes. Fletcher argues that while Elias did not develop a theory of decivilizing processes, such a theory is logically implied in his perspective and is highly pertinent to an understanding of the most violent episodes of twentieth-century history, such as the Nazi genocides.

Elias's original synthesis of sociology and psychology is examined through an analysis of several key texts including The Civilizing Process, The Established and the Outsiders and The Germans. Fletcher shows how Elias constructs his "figurational models" and applies these comparatively to specific historical examples drawn from England and Germany.

Violence and Civilization is an excellent introduction to Elias's work. It will appeal to students of sociology, anthropology, and history interested in understanding the phenomenon of violence in the modern world.

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's going on so far: a lot of things, blah blah blah. XD

I confess I read this because I need to do my paper.

It's an interesting academic study of Norbert Elias's The Processes of Civilization theory, the analysis of Elias's studies of the relations/balance/coexistence between violence and civilization, and the many follow-up studies completed by many other scholars. The book is not too difficult to read.

If you have an interest in understanding violence, European history social norms and restraints, human nature etc, do read this!