Political Violence

Political violence is a significant and serious problem for communities and nations throughout the world and a matter of persistent and ongoing international concern, with many negative effects well-documented. Political violence poses multiple threats for psychological and physical harm, including death, to individuals of all ages across the life span, from infancy to old age. By its nature, political violence is not amenable to narrow definition because the form, function, history, and groups involved vary widely across contexts. There are thus commonalities, but also differences, in the experiences and nature of political violence in different contexts. This entry considers the definition of political violence, the impact of political violence on children and adults, the status of basic research and prevention and intervention studies, and future ...