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Empirical evidence supports the notion of declining violence from "summary" of The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
The idea that violence has been decreasing over time is not merely a product of wishful thinking or rose-tinted glasses. There is solid empirical evidence to back up this claim. Various forms of violence, such as homicide, war, and corporal punishment, have all shown downward trends when examined through the lens of historical data. For instance, rates of homicide have plummeted in many parts of the world, with some societies seeing a tenfold decrease from medieval times to the present day. The spread of centralized states with a monopoly on violence has played a significant role in curbing interpersonal violence and maintaining order within societies. Likewise, the decline of dueling, once a common way of settling disputes, is further evidence of the waning tolerance for violence in civilized societies. When it comes to armed conflict, the statistics are equally encouraging. The frequency and scale of wars have diminished significantly over the centuries, punctuated by occasional spikes but overall displaying a downward trajectory. The rise of international organizations and norms against aggression, as well as the spread of democracy, has contributed to this decline in warfare. Even within the realm of child-rearing, there has been a noticeable shift towards more compassionate and less violent methods of discipline. Corporal punishment, once widely accepted as a necessary tool for instilling discipline in children, is now increasingly viewed as harmful and counterproductive. This change reflects a broader cultural shift towards non-violent conflict resolution and empathy.- The evidence for declining violence is not a mere illusion but a tangible reality supported by historical data. While challenges remain and pockets of violence persist, the overall trend towards peace and non-violence is a cause for optimism and reflection on how far we have come as a civilization.
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Empirical evidence supports the notion of declining violence
The idea that violence has been decreasing over time is not merely a product of wishful thinking or rose-tinted glasses. There ...