INTERNATIONAL AGGRESSION

• NCJ Number: 62967
• Journal: Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 10 Issue: 304 Dated: (MARCH-JUNE 1978) Pages: 61-77
• Author(s): W CLIFFORD
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Acad of Forensic Sciences
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: ADDRESS TO 2ND AUSTRAL-ASIAN PACIFIC FORENSIC SCIENCES CONGRESS, SYDNEY (AT), 20-23 JULY 1978

Annotation

THE NATURE AND ROLE OF AGGRESSION, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, IN PAST AND CURRENT SOCIETIES ARE EXAMINED IN THIS ADDRESS BASED ON A BACKGROUND PAPER PREPARED FOR THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT.

Abstract

VIOLENCE, AGGRESSION, WAR, DISORDERS, AND TERRORISM ALL DATE FROM EARLIEST HUMAN HISTORY AND ARE INGRAINED IN HUMAN NATURE AND CULTURE. ALTHOUGH MANY DISCUSSIONS OF VIOLENCE FOCUSED ON DEFINITIONS, ACTION TO DEAL WITH THEM MUST NOT AWAIT AGREEMENT ON PRECISE DEFINITIONS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF 20TH CENTURY VIOLENCE, AS LENIN PREDICTED, ARE ITS DEPERSONALIZATION AND THE EXPANSION OF THE CAPACITY FOR VIOLENCE. THESE FACETS ARE EPITOMIZED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. CURRENT SOCIETY HAS BOTH INFINITE CAPACITY FOR IMPERSONAL MASS DESTRUCTION AND AN INTERNAL MEANNESS OF AGGRESSIVE SPIRIT WHICH LACKS CONSCIENCE OR RESPONSIBILITY. COLLECTIVE SUICIDE IS THEREFORE A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY. UNSUCCESSFUL DISARMAMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND WIDESPREAD ADVOCACY OF VIOLENCE FOR SOLVING CERTAIN PROBLEMS INDICATE THAT AGGRESSION IS AN ADAPTIVE QUALITY OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY. ALSO, MEDIA COVERAGE OF AGGRESSION HAS ASSOCIATED TERRORISM WITH A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION AND THEREFORE A FORCE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. CURRENTLY, LIMITED CONVENTIONAL WARS, THREATS, INTIMIDATION, AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM ARE BEING INCREASINGLY USED AS POLICY WEAPONS. IN MANY COUNTRIES, AGGRESSION HAS BEEN THE ONLY MEANS TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL CHANGE. MOREOVER, AGGRESSION OR THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE MAY BE NECESSARY TO PRESERVE THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER. ALTHOUGH INTERNATIONAL LAW HAS PROVEN INEFFECTIVE, NATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO AIM FOR INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS SUCH AS THE RECOGNITION OF BASIC RIGHTS. THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION OF HOW MUCH AGGRESSION SHOULD BE CURBED SHOULD ALSO BE EXAMINED. THE CURRENT DISORDERED AND AGGRESSIVE WORLD MAY WELL BE PREFERABLE TO A TOTALITARIAN GLOBAL REGIME WHICH MIGHT ALSO ELIMINATE JUSTICE. A REFERENCE LIST IS INCLUDED. (CFW)