Violence and Politics points out a paradox of contemporary political violence: it appears to be growing in scope and complexity even in this era of unprecedented democratic and economic growth. These essays cover a number of timely issues including pro-life terrorism, hate crimes, Islam's connection (or stereotyped connection) to violence, rape as a war crime, ethnic conflicts, and violence against those protesting for civil rights for women, gays and lesbians and blacks. Contributors cross disciplines and subdisciplines to examine the counter-intuitive persistence of violence in advanced democracies and in steadily improving developing countries. Includes contributions from: Charles Tilly, Ulric Shannon, Margarita Lopez-Maya, Mark Ungar, Carol Mason, Sally Avery Bermanzhon, John Keane, Roger MacGinty, Lisa Sharlach, Jeffry Murer