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A broad overview of state-sanctioned torture, said to be widespread despite the nearly universal condemnation of it in international circles. Considers the social context, the perspective of torturers, the military in several South American countries, psychological and cultural origins, Somoza's National Guard in Nicaragua, and a learning model for obedience to the authority of violence. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Foreword(p. xv)
• Acknowledgments(p. xvii)
• 1 Introduction: the Politics of Pain(p. 1)
• Volume Contents(p. 10)
• 2 Torturers and Their Masters(p. 13)
• Notes(p. 18)
• 3 The Social Context of Torture: Policy Process and Authority Structure(p. 19)
• Torture as a Crime of Obedience(p. 33)
• 4 In Their Own Words: the World of the Torturer(p. 35)
• Introduction(p. 61)
• 5 The Military, Torture and Human Rights: Experiences from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay(p. 65)
• Notes(p. 93)
• 6 Torture: Psychological and Cultural Origins(p. 99)
• Notes(p. 110)
• 7 Somoza's National Guard: a Study of Human Rights Abuses, Psychological Health and Moral Development(p. 113)
• Notes(p. 125)
• 8 The Official Torturer: a Learning Model for Obedience to the Authority of Violence(p. 129)
• Notes(p. 145)
• Appendix: Torture -- Definition and Legal Instruments(p. 147)
• Notes(p. 150)
• Bibliography on Torture(p. 151)
• About the Contributors(p. 185)
• About the Book 189(p. 189)
• Index(p. 191)

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CHOICE Review

This very useful collection considers a topic many scholars choose to ignore. Although torture has been prohibited by international law for many years, the sordid practice continues in secret in many countries. Its persistence even in some postindustrial, democratic political systems suggests that human rights activists face a long, difficult struggle to abolish the practice. The contributors include reputable scholars from several countries, representing a variety of academic disciplines. They deal with tough questions: Who tortures? Why do authorities tacitly condone the practice? How are torturers trained? What strategies should be developed to force changes in governmental policies at the highest level (where the real responsibility for torture must be placed)? The essays reflect previous research (e.g., H.C. Kelman and V.L. Hamilton, Crimes of Obedience, CH, Jul'89, and Ervin Staub, The Roots of Evil, 1989). In one of the best essays (based on interviews with torturers) Crelinsten provides important insights into their closed world of perverted morality. Some essays explicitly refer to contributions by nongovernmental human rights organizations. A rich bibliography includes much of the best NGO research. This collection demonstrates how good scholarship can encourage and complement humane political action. Upper-division undergraduate; graduate; faculty. P. G. Conway; SUNY College at Oneonta