Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Palgrave Macmillan
Book cover

Network Theory and Violent Conflicts

Studies in Afghanistan and Lebanon

  • Book
  • © 2017

Overview

Authors:
  1. Christian R. Kramer

    1. Independent Scholar, Elwood, Australia

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Creates original connections among questions of networks and complexity theory, the role of violence in society, and explaining why wars end
  • Presents incisive case studies applying network theory to the Lebanese Civil War and the ongoing war in Afghanistan
  • Examines how networking principles can be used to forge a durable and resilient peace in societies that have been in conflict for some time

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

Log in via an institution
eBook USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-vii
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    • Christian R. Kramer
    Pages 1-26

  3. Networks, Complexity and International Relations

    • Christian R. Kramer
    Pages 27-63

  4. Networks and Violence

    • Christian R. Kramer
    Pages 65-91

  5. Disintegrative Violence

    • Christian R. Kramer
    Pages 93-115

  6. Lebanon

    • Christian R. Kramer
    Pages 117-152

  7. Afghanistan

    • Christian R. Kramer
    Pages 153-189

  8. Network-centric Peacebuilding

    • Christian R. Kramer
    Pages 191-225

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 227-230
    Download chapter PDF
Back to top

Keywords

About this book

This book offers a novel approach to understanding violence and violent conflict using complexity and network theories, borrowed from the natural sciences, together with social network analysis. Because violence is both a universal and central component of human communication and identity formation, it has a fundamental function in shaping social behavior. Using Manuel Castells’ work on the programming of social networks, this book explores the Lebanese Civil War and the ongoing war in Afghanistan under the perspective of violence within networks. The approach presents a unique and compelling argument that counters the long-held assumption that war is caused by specific events, or is the unavoidable culmination of existing conditions or grievances. Rather, this book argues that violence emerges when the structure of social networks becomes too rigid and hierarchic to adapt to stresses and challenges that materialize on a constant basis from both within and without the network. This is important not only for the study of war, but as a method of improving the success of contemporary peace building efforts.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Independent Scholar, Elwood, Australia

    Christian R. Kramer

About the author

Christian Kramer is an academic, researcher, and consultant, who has spent the past 15 years studying, working, and teaching in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. He obtained his PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics, UK. His research interests focus on conflict studies and peace building, complexity and networks, and risk management. Christian is currently based in Melbourne, Australia.

Bibliographic Information

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Back to top

Search

Navigation