OVERVIEW
Violence in all its forms, direct or structural, has a deeper cause to it. This book, The Hidden Structure of Violence, unveils the real motive behind the pervasive nature of violence, that is, the incessant benefits powerful elites reap at the disposal of the weak and impoverished due to the existence of violence. Violence originates from war and modern day technology which propels its lethalness and it is promoted through a powerful network which exploits resources globally. Media happens to be an equally responsible institution by controlling and shaping views of audience. Finally, violence takes birth from fear instilled into minds of the weak through cultural beliefs and ideologies.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Marc Pilisuk was a prolific author, having expertise in conflict resolution, globalization and action research. After retirement, he was Professor Emeritus at the University of California. The Dr. Marc Pilisuk Transformative Social Change Award was created at Saybrook University in 2022 to honor his life and work advancing peace and social justice. Peace Movements Worldwide and The Hidden Structure of Violence are two of his most acclaimed works.
Jennifer Achord Rountree is also an academic who received her doctorate from Saybrook University. Her research interests range from human rights and indigenous rights to community psychology and peace studies.
FOUR TAKEAWAYS
The following are the important takeaways from the book:
- WARS BECOMING MORE LETHAL WITH THE MODERN TECHNOLOGY
There has been a dramatic shift in the manner wars are waged in the modern era. More astonishingly, consequences of a war have reached a higher magnitude of fatality. The authors argue that the modern technology has entirely altered the course of warfare, which is reflected through infinite civilian causalities and an irreparable harm to our environment. The authors further state that the chemical weapons, through modern transmissions, are used clandestinely, making it exceedingly difficult to detect the users. The magnitude of mayhem created by wars can be estimated through these words of the authors, "War has caused more than three times the number of casualties in the last ninety years than in the previous five hundred years" (p. 16).
Moreover, military interventions by developed nations, particularly the United States, are often presented as necessary actions undertaken in the name of humanitarian assistance, democracy promotion, or global security. Such interventions are frequently framed as moral responsibilities, thereby garnering public and international support. However, this justification has also contributed to the normalization of extensive military expenditure. Governments allocate vast amounts of financial resources to defense budgets, fueling continuous advancements in military technology and the development of increasingly sophisticated weapons, including nuclear arsenals. While proponents argue that such spending strengthens national security and deterrence capabilities, critics contend that it diverts resources away from pressing social needs such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Furthermore, the expansion of military capabilities raises concerns about the potential consequences for humanity, as the existence and proliferation of highly destructive weapons increase the risks associated with conflict. For ordinary citizens around the world, the long-term implications of escalating military spending remain a source of concern, particularly when the benefits appear to accrue primarily to governments, defense industries, and those who profit from the continuation of war and geopolitical tensions.
- GLOBAL CORPORATE ECONOMY: A CURSE FOR THE WORKING CLASS
A handful of powerful corporations have managed to gain considerable hold over the global economy. Such concentration of power worries the working class the most as it is this class of people which gets exploited by large corporations. So, the idea that wealth flows from the rich to the poor is completely debunked by the authors. They assert, "Wealth has flowed upward from the poor countries to the upper financial levels of the richest countries. In the course of these events, progress toward tolerable levels of inequality and sustainable development virtually stopped" (p. 107).
In the age of globalization, the benefits of economic integration and international trade have largely been concentrated in the hands of hegemonic powers and multinational corporations, while the working class continues to face various forms of exploitation. Although globalization was promoted as a means of creating prosperity and improving living standards across the world, its advantages have not been distributed equally. Developed nations and large corporate entities have gained immense economic and political influence, enabling them to control resources, markets, and labor on a global scale. In contrast, workers, particularly in developing countries, often endure low wages, poor working conditions, limited job security, and inadequate access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
The pursuit of higher profits frequently compels corporations to relocate production to regions where labor is cheaper and regulations are weaker, further weakening workers' bargaining power. As a result, wealth continues to accumulate among a small group of economic elites, while millions struggle to meet their basic needs. The growing disparity between the rich and the poor demonstrates that globalization, rather than reducing inequality, has in many cases reinforced existing economic hierarchies and widened the gap between privileged and marginalized communities.
- ROLE OF MEDIA IN SHAPING OUR VIEWS
Media, by employing various techniques and selective coverage, not only shape the opinions and world view of the audiences but also psychologically influence them about the degree of importance they have to attach to prevalent issues. Principally, media outlets should disseminate all kinds of information to people by sticking to the ideals of truthfulness and integrity. They, however, tend to succumb to the interests of influential people, thus, presenting things that are contrary to reality. The twisted version of reality, in the opinion of author, allows "violence to appear both normal and inevitable" (p. 13).
The role of media becomes particularly heinous during times of war and chaos, as information is often shaped and presented in ways that influence public opinion and steer people toward supporting specific narratives. Instead of serving solely as a source of objective facts, media outlets may selectively highlight, omit, or frame events to advance political, ideological, or strategic agendas.
This manipulation of information can foster bias, deepen divisions, and encourage audiences to accept and promote propaganda without critically examining its accuracy, ultimately affecting how societies perceive conflicts and respond to them. The authors' say, "There are exceptions, but in the lead-up to war the media serves less as the provider of factual information and more as the propaganda arm for officials seeking war" (p. 248).
- WHO BENEFITS FROM GLOBAL VIOLENCE AND WAR
Seeing the widespread violence in the modern era, the question that strikes intellectuals' minds is that why violence and chaos are taking roots in most parts of Asia, Africa and other continents when the majority of people living in the planet seek peace. The answer lies in the growing businesses of arms and weapons. With the end of violence, some of the most lucrative businesses in the world would meet their natural demise. As such an outcome is not wanted by the powerful elite running large business empires of military weapons, persistence of violence in the world, especially the Third World, is maintained through a network that "has become the gatekeeper over resources, lives, and livelihoods" (p. 13).
The consistence with which the policies of overseas wars and airstrikes are adopted by governments in the West, at most instances in violation of the will of domestic population, manifests the extent to which power and authority is concentrated. As the authors argue, "Military and economic violence in the global era is a reflection of the increasing concentration of wealth among a few dominant players to the exclusion of others" (p. 266).
The intoxication of power and wealth prompts these dominant players to dismiss all humanitarian considerations and resort to violence in order to achieve their desired results. Their inhumane indifference toward the plight of the poor sections of the society, affected adversely through wealth concentration, is an apt indicator of their priorities in a world run by corporate elites.
CONCLUSION
In fine, the authors present a critical examination of the interconnected forces that shape the modern world, highlighting how technological advancements have made wars more destructive, how corporate dominance has deepened economic inequality, how media often influences public perception in favor of powerful interests, and how violence is sustained by those who profit from it. Together, these issues reveal a global system in which wealth, power, and influence are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, often at the expense of ordinary people. The authors ultimately urge readers to question dominant narratives, recognize the human costs of war and economic exploitation, and advocate for a more just, peaceful, and equitable world order.
LINKS AND RESOURCES TO READ MORE ABOUT ROUNTREE AND PILISUK'S THE HIDDEN STRUCTURE OF VIOLENCE
- The Hidden Structure of Violence: Who Benefits from Global Violence and War by Jennifer Achord Rountree and Marc Pilisuk.
- The Hidden Structure of Violence and the APA's Rethinking of Guantánamo.
- Book review: The Hidden Structure of Violence reveals how global institutions have vested interests in conflict.