The Art of Coercion: The Primitive Accumulation and Management of Coercive Power
Antonio Giustozzi
In today's dominant discourse of liberal interventionism, the role coercion and monopoly violence have been neglected, argues Antonio Giustozzi, an analyst justly renowned for his research writing on Taliban. It is widely assumed that a functional, state can emerge out political settlement between warring parties based inclusiveness social contract, which involves pressuring actors to reach deal. But post-Cold war experience such deals has so disappointing re-examination these 'certainties' warranted. Giustozzi contends key source flawed analyses widespread confusion over what formation state-building involve. view, completely different 'rules game' apply two. Naked component formation, very few states were formed without recourse it. contrast, history consolidation after their initial one taming creating increasingly sophisticated way managing The Art Coercion offers new approach thinking about security forces, in broadest sense, this transition state-building. While focussing largely nineteenth twentieth centuries, discusses coercive power throughout history, from Carolingian empire Boer War, Zapata's Mexico China's Warring States. He scrutinises armies, guerrilla bands, mercenaries, police forces intelligence services, why some coups fail succeed, examines ways decays.