Millennialism and Violence

Description

As the world approaches the year 2000, many societies are experiencing an unprecedented growth in millenarian movements that anticipate an imminent and total transformation of the world. Many of these movements have been associated with violence, either as a means for producing change or as a response to confrontations with state authority. This book draws together research on this topic from political science, psychology, sociology and history in an attempt to understand the relationship between millenarian movements and episodes of violence. Cover Title Copyright Contents Preface Introduction: Understanding Millennialism Religious Totalism, Violence and Exemplary Dualism: Beyond the Extrinsic Model Christian Themes: Mainstream Traditions and Millenarian Violence Pai Marire: Peace and Violence in a New Zealand Millenarian Tradition Violence and the Environment: The Case of 'Earth First!' Absolute Rescue: Absolutism, Defensive Action and the Resort to Force The Politics of the Millennium Notes on Contributors