Summary

Although political violence is sometimes the work of isolated individuals, it is more often than not organised, i.e. inspired, sometimes planned, taken in hand or even produced by organisations with political objectives. State-sponsored violence is by far the most deadly, but violence by non-state groups remains an essential component of contemporary political dynamics throughout the world. This book focuses in particular on this second type of violence, which political theory regards as illegitimate in principle, but which, from the point of view of the actors who perpetrate it, can be justified, particularly when it is a question of protecting the status of a dominant group or, conversely, of imposing the demands of a marginalised group.

The studies presented in this book are the work of researchers with long experience of the field, whether in Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Colombia, Libya, Pakistan, Turkey or, more broadly, the Middle East. They all testify that there is no shortage of individuals ready to take violent action. However, individual competence in the use of violence can only become a resource for the organisation from which it emanates if it is used in a disciplined, relatively measured way, and in keeping with the meaning that the organisation gives it. The central problem for organisations that use violence is not so much producing it as modulating it, channelling it and giving it meaning, hence the interest in looking at the processes involved in rationalising its use. Moreover, violent modes of action produce lasting and specific effects on societies, which often complicate the return to a peaceful expression of political conflicts.