The Better Angels of Our Nature

02How the 'Civilizing Process' Decreased Violence?

Ever wondered why we don't duel to the death over petty insults anymore? Or why we don't pillage neighboring towns for fun and profit? Well, it's all thanks to a little something called the 'Civilizing Process'. Let's start with the consolidation of states and kingdoms. Back in the day, we had a bunch of small tribes and fiefdoms, each with their own rules and ways of doing things. This led to a lot of conflict and violence, as you can imagine. But as these tribes and fiefdoms started to merge into larger states and kingdoms, things began to change. The rulers of these larger entities had a vested interest in maintaining order and preventing violence, as it was bad for business and could potentially threaten their rule. So, they started to enforce laws and norms that discouraged violence. For instance, in medieval Europe, the consolidation of small fiefdoms into larger kingdoms led to the establishment of a centralized legal system that helped to curb violence. Next up, we have the growth of commerce. As trade networks expanded and economies became more complex, people became more dependent on each other for goods and services. This created a kind of mutual dependency that discouraged violence. After all, if you kill your neighbor, who's going to provide you with the goods or services you need? Plus, as commerce grew, so did the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, like courts and arbitration, which provided non-violent ways to resolve conflicts. Then there's the influence of Enlightenment ideals. The Enlightenment was a period in history when people started to question traditional beliefs and values, and began to champion ideals like reason, science, and human rights. These ideals promoted a more peaceful society by encouraging people to see each other as equals and to resolve conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, rather than violence. For example, the abolitionist movement, which was heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideals, led to the end of the violent institution of slavery. So, has violence really decreased over time? The evidence certainly seems to suggest so. From the decline in homicide rates in Europe since the Middle Ages, to the abolition of practices like dueling and slavery, there's a clear trend towards less violence. And this isn't just a Western phenomenon. Similar trends can be seen in other parts of the world as well, suggesting that the 'Civilizing Process' is a universal human phenomenon. But what does this all mean for us? Well, it suggests that we're not inherently violent creatures, but rather that our behavior is shaped by our social and cultural environment. And if that's the case, then there's hope for a more peaceful future. After all, if we've managed to decrease violence so much in the past, who's to say we can't continue to do so in the future? So, next time you're feeling pessimistic about the state of the world, just remember the 'Civilizing Process' and how far we've come.

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