Citation

Stedman Jones S. Int. Soc. Sci. J. 2006; 58: 63-81.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, UNESCO, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-2451.2009.01689.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Through an examination of certain features of his thought and neglected aspects of his theoretical apparatus and of his historical era, Durkheim is defended against the accusation that he takes no account of violence. Indeed, rather than neglecting it, he has a wide conception of violence that focuses on the social. This was radical for his day for it moves the question of violence away from conservative ideas that violence was a permanent feature of human nature. An examination of some of his main concepts and ideas shows that, through his study of the main features of society, he is concerned with the establishment of positive social relations. The traumatic historical beginnings of the period in which he lived were a tragic inspiration and in turn lead him to criticise those theories that in different ways justify violence.