Resolving Structural Conflicts Quotes

“In a static society, personal violence will be registered, whereas structural violence may be seen as about as natural as the air around us. Conversely, in a highly dynamic society, personal violence may be seen as wrong and harmful, but still somehow congruent with”
― Richard E. Rubenstein, Resolving Structural Conflicts: How Violent Systems Can Be Transformed

“the order of things, whereas structural violence becomes apparent because it stands out like an enormous rock in a creek, impeding the free flow, creating all kinds of eddies and turbulences.5”
― Richard E. Rubenstein, Resolving Structural Conflicts: How Violent Systems Can Be Transformed

“But, [here his voice became impassioned] you must keep in mind that, although human needs are universal, humanity remains divided into two great classes: the herren [masters] and knechte [servants]. The ‘top dogs’ still lord it over the ‘bottom dogs,’ and this vast inequality generates misery and violence. Let us, by all means, develop the theory of basic needs. But if we do not incorporate that theory into a theory of society that reflects the relationship of top dogs to bottom dogs, we will not be able to explain or resolve violent conflicts.”
― Richard E. Rubenstein, Resolving Structural Conflicts: How Violent Systems Can Be Transformed