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Violence is an everyday phenomenon that is characterized by its effectiveness. Violence creates comprehensive and profound effects on victims as well as on perpetrators. Its destructive power does not only lie in the immediate consequences of the direct effects of violent actions but also in, occasionally long-term, side effects. The great impact of violence shows itself in personal/individual and also in social/collective dimensions. Accordingly, Arendt (1970) describes violence as a counter pole to power, as something that makes communication, shaping one’s life and politic action impossible. The effect and potency of violence are extraordinary, that much is clear. But even though effect and potency can certainly be regarded as extraordinary, its existence in the social sphere is far from that. Quite the opposite is the case, as Popitz emphasizes: “Violence in general (…) is not solely an occupational glitch of social relationships, a phenomenon only present on the fringes of social arrangements, merely an extreme case or an ultima ratio. (…) Violence undoubtedly is (…) an ever present option for human action” (Popitz 1992: 57; our translation). Thus, violence, as an ever present possibility and as an executed reality, must take on a central place in the analysis of social issues (Trotha 1997).

DOI: 10.1007/s10746-013-9272-2

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