POLITICAL SCIENCE 291
VIOLENCE, CONFLICT AND POLITICS
Dr. J. F. Harrison
The attack upon the World Trade Centre in New York City on September 11, 2001, properly interpreted as an attack upon the political system of the United States of America, through the vehicle of a terrorist hijacking of four commercial aeroplanes, and the killing of some 3000 people, concentrated the mind of the “West” on a new aspect of politics. That aspect is the abandonment of the process of negotiation and compromise, which is the centre of the political process. Destructive nihilism centred on social disruption caused by the death of civilians, of non-combatants, has become the immediate goal for some revolutionaries.
Conversely, “terrorism” has often been a policy of governments, of the “State”, to repress opposition. Any and all States move towards this, especially when opposition is intransigent in its rejection of the political process. It can also be found as an essential part of the process of establishing new political structures in post-revolutionary periods – as, for example, following the French Revolution (post-1789) and the Russian Revolution (post-1917).
This course seeks to explain the policy and practice of violence by both rebels and rulers. The course will show that there is an intrinsic element of violence in all political situations, and choose from innumerable case studies that exist in the contemporary world. Where negotiation and compromise fail, terrorism and violence occur. Where values are uncompromising, morality requires violence and terrorism. Where state policy meets intransigent opposition, the State imposes its own violence, its own “statist terrorism.”
Readings: Much of the material for this course will be taken from “The Web.” Specific reading will be provided in class. These will develop and change from year to year.
Students will be expected to work independently (in teams) to develop group presentations on specific projects related to the general subject. The final exam will be worth 60% of the mark for the course. A quiz, research and participation will form the basis for the remaining portion of the grade.