In this compelling and timely book, Larry Ray offers a wide-ranging and integrated account of the many manifestations of violence in society. He examines violent behaviour and its meanings in contemporary culture and throughout history. Introducing the major theoretical debates, the book examines different levels of violence - interpersonal, institutional and collective - and different forms of violence - such as racist crime, homophobic crime and genocide. It provides readers with a succinct and comprehensive overview of its nature and effects, and the solutions and conflict resolutions involved in responses to violence. Interdisciplinary in its approach, the text draws on evidence from sociology, criminology, primate studies and archaeology to shed light on arguments about the social construction and innate nature of violence. Engaging, wide-reaching and authorative, this is essential reading for students, academics and researchers in sociology, criminology, social pyschology and cultural studies.

In this fully updated and revised new edition of his landmark study of violence in and around contemporary sport, Kevin Young offers a comprehensive sociological analysis of an issue of central importance within sport studies. The book explores organised and spontaneous violence, both on the field and off, and calls for a much broader definition of ‘sports-related violence’, to include issues as diverse as criminal behaviour by players, abuse within sport and exploitative labour practices. Offering a sophisticated theoretical framework for understanding violence in a sporting context and including new case studies and updated empirical data – from professional soccer in Europe to ice hockey in North America – the book establishes a benchmark for the study of violence within sport and wider society. Through close examination of often contradictory trends, from anti-violence initiatives in professional sports leagues to the role of the media in encouraging hyper-aggression, the book throws new light on our understanding of the socially-embedded character of sport and its fundamental ties to history, culture, politics, social class, gender and the law. This new edition also recognises burgeoning new literatures, such as research examining concussion and the link between sport and mental illness and includes student-friendly pedagogical aids, such as critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter. Sport, Violence and Society is a vital read for anyone studying or working in the areas of the Sociology of Sport, Sport Psychology, Ethics and Philosophy of Sport, Sport and Politics, Sports History, and Sport and the Media.

Clearly and lucidly written, this book offers broad coverage of theoretical debates, using case studies from the author’s own extensive research to bring the various theories alive. With a sociological approach throughout, it provides up-to-date coverage of key topics including gender and violence, collective violence and media and violence.

This highly respected title comes revised and updated in a second edition to provide you with a contemporary overview of violence and society. Clearly and lucidly written, this book offers broad coverage of theoretical debates, using case studies from the author’s own extensive research to bring the various theories alive. With a sociological approach throughout, it provides up-to-date coverage of key topics including gender and violence, collective violence and media and violence. New to this edition: Three new chapters on ‘Collective Violence’, ‘Violence and the Visual’ and ‘Theories of Violence′ Material on sex offending and the night-time economy Learning features in each chapter and an ‘at-a-glance’ overview within the introduction

"Violence and Society features a multidisciplinary collection of readings by leading national and international experts that set a new agenda for our understanding of interpersonal and state violence in contemporary society. Features contributions from leading international experts in collective, state, and interpersonal violence Develops innovative interdisciplinary theorizations based on new empirical studies on violence and society Incorporates within an emerging analytical framework issues of war, domestic and gender-based violence, fighting, honor and shame, violence and identity, and politics and violence Allows us to better understand the world we live in "--

Focusing exclusively on the explanation of violence, this anthology examines why violent conduct occurs--whether or not it is defined as a crime. It reflects a distinctive perspective on the social construction of violence as normative conduct, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of society, and supported by specific legal traditions that are difficult to change. The book also explores the structural origins of social violence, such as the role patriarchal social institutions play in explaining gender violence. A six-part organization contains articles by well-known scholars on the social construction of anger, social inequality and the production of violence, culture: violence and values, family violence, sexual violence, and criminal violence. For individuals seeking to understand the social causes of violence, and working to reduce the level of violence in families, gender relations, and a wide variety of social contexts in which violence appears to be an all too frequent occurrence.