[Front Matter and Table of Contents]: Title page, editorial information, and detailed table of contents for the volume 'Gewalt und Gewaltlosigkeit' (Violence and Nonviolence). It lists contributions from various disciplines including philosophy, sociology, psychology, and history, covering topics from Marxist theory to the United Nations. [Vorwort (Preface)]: The editors discuss the interdisciplinary approach of the volume, distinguishing between 'violence' (violentia) and 'power' (potestas). They reflect on the history of pacifism, citing Romain Rolland and Gandhi, and explain the decision to focus on broader 20th-century violence rather than solely on Fascism, while emphasizing the role of scientific analysis over mere sentiment. [Philosophische Überlegungen zur Legitimationsfähigkeit oppositioneller Gewalt]: Herta Nagl-Docekal examines the philosophical legitimacy of oppositional violence. She analyzes the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau regarding the right to resistance. A significant portion is dedicated to Kant's moral philosophy, arguing that while Kant rejects a legal right to revolution, his categorical imperative remains a vital criterion for judging political actions and the necessity of reform through public reason. [Das Problem der Gewalt bei Karl Marx und im Marxismus]: Domenico Settembrini explores the tension between the scientific and prophetic elements of Marxism regarding violence. He compares Marxist and Anarchist views on state power and class, arguing that the Marxist promise of a future without violence often leads to totalizing state power in the interim. He contrasts this with a 'liberal-socialist' or reformist path that views poverty and aggression as persistent human challenges rather than purely historical ones. [Gewalt, Autorität, Demokratie und das Ideal der Gewaltlosigkeit]: Walter B. Simon analyzes the relationship between state violence, authority, and democratic legitimacy. He critiques the 'anti-authoritarian' movements and the idealization of direct democracy, arguing that complex industrial societies require representative structures and legitimate authority to prevent the vacuum that leads to tyranny. He discusses the 'authoritarian personality' and the necessity of a state monopoly on violence to ensure civil peace. [Strukturelle Gewalt (Structural Violence)]: Iring Fetscher critiques the concept of 'structural violence' introduced by Johan Galtung. He traces its origins in the debate between traditional and critical peace research. Fetscher argues that while the term highlights social injustice and unequal life chances, it risks becoming a vague moralistic metaphor that lacks the analytical precision of earlier Marxist concepts like exploitation and class rule. [Kritik der Aggressionstheorien (Critique of Aggression Theories)]: Becker and Strotzka provide a comprehensive overview of psychological theories of aggression. They cover the development of psychoanalytic thought from Adler to Freud's death drive, the frustration-aggression hypothesis, learning theories (operant conditioning and social learning/modeling), and Konrad Lorenz's ethological approach. The authors critique the idea of an innate 'aggression drive' and emphasize the role of social environment and learned behavior. [The Ethological Perspective of Eibl-Eibesfeldt on Aggression and Obedience]: This segment examines I. Eibl-Eibesfeldt's ethological theories, specifically his argument that humans possess innate dispositions for both pity and aggression. It discusses the Milgram experiment as evidence for an innate 'disposition to obey' that can override cultural norms like pity. The text also critiques the reliability of innate inhibitions against killing, referencing the Vietnam War and questioning Konrad Lorenz's optimistic views on human laughter as a deterrent to violence. [Learning Theory Critique of Drive Theories]: A critical overview of the conflict between biological drive theories (Freud, Lorenz) and environmental learning theories. Proponents of learning theory argue that viewing aggression as an innate biological necessity is scientifically weak and socially dangerous, potentially acting as a self-fulfilling prophecy that prepares societies for war. The segment highlights the polemical nature of this academic debate in Germany. [Weighing Conditioning Factors and the Outlook for Peace Research]: This section explores the integration of psychological and biological factors within peace research, specifically referencing Dieter Senghaas. It argues that while aggressive dispositions exist, they are modeled by the environment and can be reduced through cultural shifts, such as the historical abolition of judicial torture. It also analyzes the role of 'fanatics' in social systems, the danger of military thinking overriding politics, and the concept of 'autistic hostility' in international relations, concluding with the socio-economic tensions between industrial nations and the Third World. [Christians and the Problem of Just War in the Atomic Age]: Introduction to an essay by Michael Weinzierl regarding the evolution of the Christian 'Just War' doctrine. It explores how the advent of nuclear weapons forced a re-evaluation of traditional theological stances on violence within both Catholicism and Protestantism, touching upon modern shifts like the 'Theology of Revolution'. [The Historical Development of the Just War Doctrine to World War I]: This section traces the evolution of the Christian 'bellum iustum' (just war) doctrine from the New Testament and Patristic era through the Middle Ages and the Reformation. It details St. Augustine's foundational criteria (tranquillitas ordinis, iusta causa) and Thomas Aquinas's systematic refinement of the three essential criteria: authority of the prince, just cause, and right intention. The text also explores how the doctrine transitioned into modern international law (ius gentium) through thinkers like Vitoria and Suarez, eventually leading to a focus on state sovereignty and the distinction between ius ad bellum and ius in bello. [The Catholic Church and the Nuclear Dilemma: 1945 to the 1950s]: An analysis of the radical questioning of the just war doctrine within the Catholic Church following the advent of nuclear weapons. It focuses on the intense 1950s debates in West Germany regarding the morality of atomic armament, highlighting the clash between conservative theologians like Gustav Gundlach—who argued that even the destruction of the world might be justified in defense of 'highest goods'—and critics like Böckenförde and Spaemann, who argued that nuclear weapons are inherently immoral because their effects are uncontrollable and violate the principle of protecting non-combatants. [From Just War to a Doctrine of Peace: Vatican II and the Modern Papacy]: This section describes the shift from the 'just war' doctrine to a proactive 'doctrine of peace' initiated by Pope John XXIII's 'Pacem in terris' and continued through Vatican II's 'Gaudium et Spes' and Pope Paul VI's 'Populorum Progressio'. It outlines the Church's new focus on global cooperation, disarmament, and the idea that 'development is the new name for peace.' It also addresses the emerging 'theology of revolution' in the Third World and the Church's gradual recognition of conscientious objection as a legitimate Christian stance. [Discussions in the EKD and the World Council of Churches: The Protestant Perspective]: This section examines the shift in Protestant thought regarding the 'just war' doctrine (bellum iustum) in the 20th century, particularly within the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the World Council of Churches. It details the intense theological debates triggered by nuclear armament, contrasting the positions of Helmut Gollwitzer, who argued that atomic weapons made the just war doctrine obsolete, with Helmut Thielicke, who defended nuclear deterrence as a necessary evil to prevent communist expansion. The text also explores Karl Barth's nuanced rejection of both traditional just war theory and naive pacifism, and the eventual adoption of 'complementarity' between those who serve in the military and conscientious objectors. It concludes by tracing the World Council of Churches' transition from condemning war in general to addressing structural violence and supporting revolutionary movements in the Third World. [Conclusions: Convergence and the Shift to Structural Violence]: The author concludes that by the mid-1960s, Catholic and Protestant discourses converged on the belief that the just war doctrine is inapplicable to nuclear conflict. The focus shifted from preventing an East-West atomic catastrophe to a global peace conception linked to economic development and the potential justification of revolutionary violence in the Third World. The segment introduces Johan Galtung's concept of 'structural violence' as a framework for future Christian peace strategies, suggesting organizational changes within the church to model non-violence. [Violence and Non-Violence as a Problem of Literary Procedures]: Friedbert Aspetsberger examines the shift in 20th-century literature from traditional 'Bildungsliteratur' (educational literature) to a socially-oriented realism that addresses systemic violence. He discusses how contemporary authors like Edward Bond, Böll, and Weiss view violence as a fundamental aspect of reality that literature must confront. The essay explores the tension between aesthetic 'beauty' and the documentation of inhumanity, referencing Adorno's famous dictum about poetry after Auschwitz. It also analyzes the historical development of literary procedures, contrasting bourgeois and Marxist traditions in their approach to representing social reality and the potential for literature to act as a functional instrument for change. [Futurism and Expressionism: Examples of Literary Futility Against Social Violence]: This section analyzes Futurism and Expressionism as two failed attempts by the avant-garde to address social violence. Futurism is described as identifying with violence and technology, seeking to destroy tradition and syntax in favor of 'action.' Expressionism, conversely, sought to transcend reality through vision and metaphor, aiming for a 'New Man' but ultimately remaining isolated in its linguistic subjectivity. Aspetsberger notes that both movements were criticized (notably by Brecht) for their lack of practical impact on the capitalist structures they ostensibly opposed, leading to a perceived 'literary futility' in the face of historical reality. [The Renunciation of Educational Tradition: Literature as a Procedure Against Social Reality from Brecht to Scharang]: Aspetsberger traces the evolution of literature as a functional 'procedure' (Verfahrensweise) designed to intervene in social reality. Starting with the Brecht-Lukács debate, the text explores the move away from bourgeois individualism toward documentary and didactic forms. It examines Brecht's 'Lehrstücke' (learning plays) and 'Mutter Courage' as tools for rational analysis of power. The section then covers the development of documentary literature (Weiss, Hochhuth, Wallraff, Delius) which uses facts and montages to expose systemic violence in industry and history. Finally, it discusses Michael Scharang's use of 'original tone' (O-Ton) recordings of workers to collapse the distance between art and social practice, effectively replacing traditional literary interpretation with socio-political action. [The Biographical Model: The Concept of Individuality in the History of Literature and Violence]: This section explores the 'biographical model' as a central literary device for representing individuality and its eventual erosion by social violence and state administration. It contrasts Schiller's classical ideal of the 'aesthetic man' (Wilhelm Tell), where the individual represents the human species, with the 19th-century 'Bildungsroman' (Goethe) and Dilthey's hermeneutics, where individuality becomes a private 'meaning-structure' within history. Aspetsberger argues that in modern literature (Frisch, Handke), this model collapses as the 'state of violence' (Gewaltstaat) becomes total, reducing the individual to a collection of social norms and linguistic clichés. Handke's 'Wunschloses Unglück' is analyzed as a turning point where individuality is only detectable as a deviation from a standardized social 'formula' for life. [Brutality in Modern Art]: Wilhelm Messerer investigates 'brutality' not as a subject matter (depictions of violence), but as an inherent quality of the artwork's form and effect. He defines brutality in art as characterized by raw power, lack of feeling, undifferentiated large-scale forms, and a 'mechanical' impact on the viewer. Examples include the 'cold' materials of modern architecture (concrete, glass), the 'megalomania' of monumental buildings (e.g., Nazi architecture by Troost), and the aggressive visual strategies of Pop and Op art. Messerer distinguishes between 'violent' art (which may have inner strength, like Hodler) and 'brutal' art (which is often powerless but exerts force). He also discusses how artists like Beckmann and Rouault incorporate brutal elements into a structured, meaningful whole, contrasting this with the 'simplification terrible' of modern visual culture. [Excursus: A Pictorial Formula for Progress]: This excursus identifies a recurring visual formula used to represent 'progress' in art and architecture since the late 18th century. This formula typically involves a dynamic, upward-striving diagonal or a 'figurehead' leading a movement (e.g., Delacroix's Liberty, Makart's festival floats, or Soviet monuments). Messerer traces this motif from David's Neoclassicism through the industrial symbolism of the 19th century to modern architectural expressions like Tatlin's Tower and Mendelsohn's dynamic buildings. He argues that this 'one-dimensional' upward surge represents an absolute commitment to progress that often leaves the multi-dimensional reality of the world behind. [Violence and Conflict Resolution in the Labor Struggles of Ruhr Miners until 1918]: Klaus Tenfelde examines the evolution of social conflict and its resolution in the Ruhr coal mining industry during the 19th century. He describes the transition from the 'estate-based' (ständisch) mining constitution, where the Prussian state acted as a paternalistic mediator and miners enjoyed status and security, to the liberal-capitalist industrial era. The essay analyzes how the loss of state protection and the rise of large-scale industrial production led to new forms of conflict. Tenfelde explores the shift from traditional 'petitions' to the monarch toward modern industrial action (strikes). He argues that while industrialization brought systemic 'structural violence' and alienation, the history of these labor struggles shows a gradual 'rationalization' of conflict strategies as workers organized to negotiate their interests. [The Organization of Interest Conflicts in the Era of Association Building and World War I]: This section analyzes the transformation of industrial conflict in the Ruhr mining district from the late 1880s through World War I. It details the shift from spontaneous, localized protests to organized labor movements, specifically focusing on the landmark 1889 strike and the subsequent formation of the 'Alter Verband' and Christian unions. The text explores the state's evolving role as a mediator, the integration of Polish migrant workers (and the violent Herne revolt of 1899), and the eventual institutionalization of labor relations through works councils and collective agreements during the war years, culminating in the Stinnes-Legien Agreement of 1918. [Gandhi or the Possibilities and Limits of Non-Violence]: Helene Maimann examines the religious and philosophical foundations of Gandhi's doctrine of non-violence (Ahimsa) and its application as a political strategy (Satyagraha). The essay discusses the synthesis of Jainist, Buddhist, and Christian ethics in Gandhi's thought, the mechanics of non-violent resistance such as 'dharna' and 'hartal', and the practical limitations of these methods when facing highly repressive regimes like National Socialism or Apartheid. It concludes by questioning the continued relevance of Gandhi's legacy in modern India and the global struggle against structural violence. [The UN Between Peacekeeping and the Arms Race]: Helmut Rumpler provides a historical analysis of the United Nations' role in international disarmament and security. He argues that the UN's effectiveness was limited from the start by the preservation of national sovereignty and the veto power of the Great Powers. The essay traces the shift from early comprehensive disarmament proposals to the era of bilateral 'arms control' between the superpowers (SALT, MBFR). While the UN served as a vital forum for world opinion and moral pressure, the actual strategic decisions were increasingly made in bilateral summits, leaving the UN in a state of tension between its founding ideals and the realities of the nuclear arms race. [Contributors and Table of Contents]: Biographical sketches of the contributors to the volume, including Friedbert Aspetsberger, Iring Fetscher, Helene Maimann, Helmut Rumpler, and Klaus Tenfelde. It also includes the full table of contents for the book 'Gewalt und Gewaltlosigkeit' and advertisements for other volumes in the series 'Wiener Beiträge zur Geschichte der Neuzeit'.
Title page, editorial information, and detailed table of contents for the volume 'Gewalt und Gewaltlosigkeit' (Violence and Nonviolence). It lists contributions from various disciplines including philosophy, sociology, psychology, and history, covering topics from Marxist theory to the United Nations.
Read full textThe editors discuss the interdisciplinary approach of the volume, distinguishing between 'violence' (violentia) and 'power' (potestas). They reflect on the history of pacifism, citing Romain Rolland and Gandhi, and explain the decision to focus on broader 20th-century violence rather than solely on Fascism, while emphasizing the role of scientific analysis over mere sentiment.
Read full textHerta Nagl-Docekal examines the philosophical legitimacy of oppositional violence. She analyzes the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau regarding the right to resistance. A significant portion is dedicated to Kant's moral philosophy, arguing that while Kant rejects a legal right to revolution, his categorical imperative remains a vital criterion for judging political actions and the necessity of reform through public reason.
Read full textDomenico Settembrini explores the tension between the scientific and prophetic elements of Marxism regarding violence. He compares Marxist and Anarchist views on state power and class, arguing that the Marxist promise of a future without violence often leads to totalizing state power in the interim. He contrasts this with a 'liberal-socialist' or reformist path that views poverty and aggression as persistent human challenges rather than purely historical ones.
Read full textWalter B. Simon analyzes the relationship between state violence, authority, and democratic legitimacy. He critiques the 'anti-authoritarian' movements and the idealization of direct democracy, arguing that complex industrial societies require representative structures and legitimate authority to prevent the vacuum that leads to tyranny. He discusses the 'authoritarian personality' and the necessity of a state monopoly on violence to ensure civil peace.
Read full textIring Fetscher critiques the concept of 'structural violence' introduced by Johan Galtung. He traces its origins in the debate between traditional and critical peace research. Fetscher argues that while the term highlights social injustice and unequal life chances, it risks becoming a vague moralistic metaphor that lacks the analytical precision of earlier Marxist concepts like exploitation and class rule.
Read full textBecker and Strotzka provide a comprehensive overview of psychological theories of aggression. They cover the development of psychoanalytic thought from Adler to Freud's death drive, the frustration-aggression hypothesis, learning theories (operant conditioning and social learning/modeling), and Konrad Lorenz's ethological approach. The authors critique the idea of an innate 'aggression drive' and emphasize the role of social environment and learned behavior.
Read full textThis segment examines I. Eibl-Eibesfeldt's ethological theories, specifically his argument that humans possess innate dispositions for both pity and aggression. It discusses the Milgram experiment as evidence for an innate 'disposition to obey' that can override cultural norms like pity. The text also critiques the reliability of innate inhibitions against killing, referencing the Vietnam War and questioning Konrad Lorenz's optimistic views on human laughter as a deterrent to violence.
Read full textA critical overview of the conflict between biological drive theories (Freud, Lorenz) and environmental learning theories. Proponents of learning theory argue that viewing aggression as an innate biological necessity is scientifically weak and socially dangerous, potentially acting as a self-fulfilling prophecy that prepares societies for war. The segment highlights the polemical nature of this academic debate in Germany.
Read full textThis section explores the integration of psychological and biological factors within peace research, specifically referencing Dieter Senghaas. It argues that while aggressive dispositions exist, they are modeled by the environment and can be reduced through cultural shifts, such as the historical abolition of judicial torture. It also analyzes the role of 'fanatics' in social systems, the danger of military thinking overriding politics, and the concept of 'autistic hostility' in international relations, concluding with the socio-economic tensions between industrial nations and the Third World.
Read full textIntroduction to an essay by Michael Weinzierl regarding the evolution of the Christian 'Just War' doctrine. It explores how the advent of nuclear weapons forced a re-evaluation of traditional theological stances on violence within both Catholicism and Protestantism, touching upon modern shifts like the 'Theology of Revolution'.
Read full textThis section traces the evolution of the Christian 'bellum iustum' (just war) doctrine from the New Testament and Patristic era through the Middle Ages and the Reformation. It details St. Augustine's foundational criteria (tranquillitas ordinis, iusta causa) and Thomas Aquinas's systematic refinement of the three essential criteria: authority of the prince, just cause, and right intention. The text also explores how the doctrine transitioned into modern international law (ius gentium) through thinkers like Vitoria and Suarez, eventually leading to a focus on state sovereignty and the distinction between ius ad bellum and ius in bello.
Read full textAn analysis of the radical questioning of the just war doctrine within the Catholic Church following the advent of nuclear weapons. It focuses on the intense 1950s debates in West Germany regarding the morality of atomic armament, highlighting the clash between conservative theologians like Gustav Gundlach—who argued that even the destruction of the world might be justified in defense of 'highest goods'—and critics like Böckenförde and Spaemann, who argued that nuclear weapons are inherently immoral because their effects are uncontrollable and violate the principle of protecting non-combatants.
Read full textThis section describes the shift from the 'just war' doctrine to a proactive 'doctrine of peace' initiated by Pope John XXIII's 'Pacem in terris' and continued through Vatican II's 'Gaudium et Spes' and Pope Paul VI's 'Populorum Progressio'. It outlines the Church's new focus on global cooperation, disarmament, and the idea that 'development is the new name for peace.' It also addresses the emerging 'theology of revolution' in the Third World and the Church's gradual recognition of conscientious objection as a legitimate Christian stance.
Read full textThis section examines the shift in Protestant thought regarding the 'just war' doctrine (bellum iustum) in the 20th century, particularly within the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the World Council of Churches. It details the intense theological debates triggered by nuclear armament, contrasting the positions of Helmut Gollwitzer, who argued that atomic weapons made the just war doctrine obsolete, with Helmut Thielicke, who defended nuclear deterrence as a necessary evil to prevent communist expansion. The text also explores Karl Barth's nuanced rejection of both traditional just war theory and naive pacifism, and the eventual adoption of 'complementarity' between those who serve in the military and conscientious objectors. It concludes by tracing the World Council of Churches' transition from condemning war in general to addressing structural violence and supporting revolutionary movements in the Third World.
Read full textThe author concludes that by the mid-1960s, Catholic and Protestant discourses converged on the belief that the just war doctrine is inapplicable to nuclear conflict. The focus shifted from preventing an East-West atomic catastrophe to a global peace conception linked to economic development and the potential justification of revolutionary violence in the Third World. The segment introduces Johan Galtung's concept of 'structural violence' as a framework for future Christian peace strategies, suggesting organizational changes within the church to model non-violence.
Read full textFriedbert Aspetsberger examines the shift in 20th-century literature from traditional 'Bildungsliteratur' (educational literature) to a socially-oriented realism that addresses systemic violence. He discusses how contemporary authors like Edward Bond, Böll, and Weiss view violence as a fundamental aspect of reality that literature must confront. The essay explores the tension between aesthetic 'beauty' and the documentation of inhumanity, referencing Adorno's famous dictum about poetry after Auschwitz. It also analyzes the historical development of literary procedures, contrasting bourgeois and Marxist traditions in their approach to representing social reality and the potential for literature to act as a functional instrument for change.
Read full textThis section analyzes Futurism and Expressionism as two failed attempts by the avant-garde to address social violence. Futurism is described as identifying with violence and technology, seeking to destroy tradition and syntax in favor of 'action.' Expressionism, conversely, sought to transcend reality through vision and metaphor, aiming for a 'New Man' but ultimately remaining isolated in its linguistic subjectivity. Aspetsberger notes that both movements were criticized (notably by Brecht) for their lack of practical impact on the capitalist structures they ostensibly opposed, leading to a perceived 'literary futility' in the face of historical reality.
Read full textAspetsberger traces the evolution of literature as a functional 'procedure' (Verfahrensweise) designed to intervene in social reality. Starting with the Brecht-Lukács debate, the text explores the move away from bourgeois individualism toward documentary and didactic forms. It examines Brecht's 'Lehrstücke' (learning plays) and 'Mutter Courage' as tools for rational analysis of power. The section then covers the development of documentary literature (Weiss, Hochhuth, Wallraff, Delius) which uses facts and montages to expose systemic violence in industry and history. Finally, it discusses Michael Scharang's use of 'original tone' (O-Ton) recordings of workers to collapse the distance between art and social practice, effectively replacing traditional literary interpretation with socio-political action.
Read full textThis section explores the 'biographical model' as a central literary device for representing individuality and its eventual erosion by social violence and state administration. It contrasts Schiller's classical ideal of the 'aesthetic man' (Wilhelm Tell), where the individual represents the human species, with the 19th-century 'Bildungsroman' (Goethe) and Dilthey's hermeneutics, where individuality becomes a private 'meaning-structure' within history. Aspetsberger argues that in modern literature (Frisch, Handke), this model collapses as the 'state of violence' (Gewaltstaat) becomes total, reducing the individual to a collection of social norms and linguistic clichés. Handke's 'Wunschloses Unglück' is analyzed as a turning point where individuality is only detectable as a deviation from a standardized social 'formula' for life.
Read full textWilhelm Messerer investigates 'brutality' not as a subject matter (depictions of violence), but as an inherent quality of the artwork's form and effect. He defines brutality in art as characterized by raw power, lack of feeling, undifferentiated large-scale forms, and a 'mechanical' impact on the viewer. Examples include the 'cold' materials of modern architecture (concrete, glass), the 'megalomania' of monumental buildings (e.g., Nazi architecture by Troost), and the aggressive visual strategies of Pop and Op art. Messerer distinguishes between 'violent' art (which may have inner strength, like Hodler) and 'brutal' art (which is often powerless but exerts force). He also discusses how artists like Beckmann and Rouault incorporate brutal elements into a structured, meaningful whole, contrasting this with the 'simplification terrible' of modern visual culture.
Read full textThis excursus identifies a recurring visual formula used to represent 'progress' in art and architecture since the late 18th century. This formula typically involves a dynamic, upward-striving diagonal or a 'figurehead' leading a movement (e.g., Delacroix's Liberty, Makart's festival floats, or Soviet monuments). Messerer traces this motif from David's Neoclassicism through the industrial symbolism of the 19th century to modern architectural expressions like Tatlin's Tower and Mendelsohn's dynamic buildings. He argues that this 'one-dimensional' upward surge represents an absolute commitment to progress that often leaves the multi-dimensional reality of the world behind.
Read full textKlaus Tenfelde examines the evolution of social conflict and its resolution in the Ruhr coal mining industry during the 19th century. He describes the transition from the 'estate-based' (ständisch) mining constitution, where the Prussian state acted as a paternalistic mediator and miners enjoyed status and security, to the liberal-capitalist industrial era. The essay analyzes how the loss of state protection and the rise of large-scale industrial production led to new forms of conflict. Tenfelde explores the shift from traditional 'petitions' to the monarch toward modern industrial action (strikes). He argues that while industrialization brought systemic 'structural violence' and alienation, the history of these labor struggles shows a gradual 'rationalization' of conflict strategies as workers organized to negotiate their interests.
Read full textThis section analyzes the transformation of industrial conflict in the Ruhr mining district from the late 1880s through World War I. It details the shift from spontaneous, localized protests to organized labor movements, specifically focusing on the landmark 1889 strike and the subsequent formation of the 'Alter Verband' and Christian unions. The text explores the state's evolving role as a mediator, the integration of Polish migrant workers (and the violent Herne revolt of 1899), and the eventual institutionalization of labor relations through works councils and collective agreements during the war years, culminating in the Stinnes-Legien Agreement of 1918.
Read full textHelene Maimann examines the religious and philosophical foundations of Gandhi's doctrine of non-violence (Ahimsa) and its application as a political strategy (Satyagraha). The essay discusses the synthesis of Jainist, Buddhist, and Christian ethics in Gandhi's thought, the mechanics of non-violent resistance such as 'dharna' and 'hartal', and the practical limitations of these methods when facing highly repressive regimes like National Socialism or Apartheid. It concludes by questioning the continued relevance of Gandhi's legacy in modern India and the global struggle against structural violence.
Read full textHelmut Rumpler provides a historical analysis of the United Nations' role in international disarmament and security. He argues that the UN's effectiveness was limited from the start by the preservation of national sovereignty and the veto power of the Great Powers. The essay traces the shift from early comprehensive disarmament proposals to the era of bilateral 'arms control' between the superpowers (SALT, MBFR). While the UN served as a vital forum for world opinion and moral pressure, the actual strategic decisions were increasingly made in bilateral summits, leaving the UN in a state of tension between its founding ideals and the realities of the nuclear arms race.
Read full textBiographical sketches of the contributors to the volume, including Friedbert Aspetsberger, Iring Fetscher, Helene Maimann, Helmut Rumpler, and Klaus Tenfelde. It also includes the full table of contents for the book 'Gewalt und Gewaltlosigkeit' and advertisements for other volumes in the series 'Wiener Beiträge zur Geschichte der Neuzeit'.
Read full text