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Cultural Violence

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  • Johan Galtung

    (College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Abstract

This article introduces a concept of `cultural violence', and can be seen as a follow-up of the author's introduction of the concept of `structural violence' over 20 years ago (Galtung, 1969). `Cultural violence' is defined here as any aspect of a culture that can be used to legitimize violence in its direct or structural form. Symbolic violence built into a culture does not kill or maim like direct violence or the violence built into the structure. However, it is used to legitimize either or both, as for instance in the theory of a Herrenvolk, or a superior race. The relations between direct, structural and cultural violence are explored, using a violence triangle and a violence strata image, with various types of casual flows. Examples of cultural violence are indicated, using a division of culture into religion and ideology, art and language, and empirical and formal science. The theory of cultural violence is then related to two basic points in Gandhism, the doctrines of unity of life and of unity of means and ends. Finally, the inclusion of culture as a major focus of peace research is seen not only as deepening the quest for peace, but also as a possible contribution to the as yet non-existent general discipline of `culturology'.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Galtung, 1990. "Cultural Violence," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 27(3), pages 291-305, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:27:y:1990:i:3:p:291-305
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    Cited by:

    1. de Silva, M.W. Amarasiri & Albert, Steven M. & Jayasekara, J.M.K.B., 2017. "Structural violence and chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 184-195.
    2. Wolfgang Suetzl, 2016. "Elicitive Conflict Transformation and New Media: In Search for a Common Ground," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(1), pages 4-14.
    3. Barber, Brian K. & McNeely, Clea & Olsen, Joseph A. & Belli, Robert F. & Doty, Samuel Benjamin, 2016. "Long-term exposure to political violence: The particular injury of persistent humiliation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 154-166.
    4. Carlos Javier Pabón Arévalo, 2016. "Análisis crítico del discurso sobre conflicto armado y desarrollo en los presidentes Álvaro Uribe Vélez y Juan Manuel Santos en Colombia entre los anos 2002 y 2013," Revista CIFE, Universidad Santo Tomás, March.

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