The Roots of Evil

Preface; Acknowledgments; Part I. Psychological and Cultural Bases of Genocide and Other Forms of Group Violence: 1. An introduction; 2. The origins of genocide and mass killing: core concepts; 3. The psychology of hard times: the effects of difficult life conditions; 4. Cultural and individual characteristics; 5. The psychology of perpetrators: individuals and groups; 6. Steps along a continuum of destruction: perpetrators and bystanders; Part II. The Nazi Holocaust: 7. Hitler comes to power; 8. Preconditions for the Holocaust in German culture; 9. Nazi rule and steps along the continuum of destruction; 10. The SS and the psychology of perpetrators; 11. The behaviour and psychology of bystanders and victims; Part III. Other Genocides and Mass Killings: 12. The Turkish genocide of the Armenians; 13. Cambodia: genocide to create a better world; 14. This disappearances: mass killing in Argentina; 15. Summary and conclusions: the societal and psychological origins of genocide and other atrocities; Part IV. Further Extensions: The Roots of War and the Creation of Caring and Nonaggressive Persons and Societies: 16. The cultural and psychological origins of war; 17. The nature of groups: security, power, justice, and positive connection; 18. The creation and evolution of caring, connection, and nonaggression; Notes; Index.