Are We Becoming More Violent?

With the conflict in Syria, terrorist attacks in France and racial tensions in the USA, it’s easy to think we’re becoming more violent. But do the stats paint a different picture?

- Dr David Hammond

We are living in the most peaceful time in human history, at least according to the acclaimed book The Better Angels Of Our Nature, written by eminent psychologist Steven Pinker. Through analysis of historical estimates, Pinker details how common violence was in our past. Back then there were clans, witch trials and crusades to contend with. Today, evidence suggests that the developed world has never had to worry less about violence. 

To account for this, Pinker describes the process of civilisation. The evolution of national governments allowed the emergence of fair and consistent trade. 

But 9/11, the War on Terror and ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq demonstrate that violence is far from a bygone problem. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 65 million people are now forcibly displaced because of violence, which is the highest number since WWII. The Global Terrorism Index 2015 showed that deaths from terrorism have increased nine fold since the year 2000. 

So this is the most peaceful time in history, yet there are also recent trends in violence. And it is this juxtaposition that leads to a surprisingly statistical debate.

Myths and trends