Killing in the Name of Identity : A Study of Bloody Conflicts

“Why do they hate us so?” Vamık Volkan has the most compelling, humane, and universal response to the riddle of our time. In this extraordinary and timely book, Volkan explains better than anyone the relationship between large-group identities and massive traumas and current events and ongoing conflicts around the world, including those related to the horrific attacks of 9/11. In his newest book, Killing in the Name of Identity, Volkan has taken us further, and deeper, into the dark and vulnerable collective mind of ethnic, religious, cultural, and national group conflict. Through his eyes and words, we find ourselves looking into and making contact with the universal elements present in humanity and in ourselves, which converge in producing the conditions for great human tragedies. No one understands nor writes about large-group terror and violence in a more compassionate and profoundly instructive way. Cover......Page 1 Title Page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Epigraph......Page 8 Contents......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 Part I: Georgia on My Mind......Page 20 1. Massive Trauma in the Republic of Georgia......Page 22 2. Three Generations at the Golden Fleece......Page 36 3. Waiting Ten Years to Mourn or Not Mourn......Page 49 4. More on Refugees and Their Linking Objects......Page 70 5. “Have You Read Sophie’s Choice?”......Page 87 Part II: Societal Trauma and Transgenerational Transmissions......Page 106 6. From Natural Disasters to Ethnic Cleansing......Page 108 7. AWON and Four Thousand Gold Stars......Page 126 8. “Hot Places,”Memorials, Apologies, and Forgiveness......Page 138 9. The Bataan Death March and Animal Killings......Page 158 10. The Political Ideology of Entitlement and “Chosen,” “Acute,” and “Hot” Traumas......Page 174 Part III: Identities Side by Side: Is Coexistence Possible?......Page 188 11. From Formal to Unofficial Diplomacy: An Overview......Page 190 12. From Theory to Practice: The Tree Model......Page 199 13. A Fourth of July Party with Heavy Artillery Fire......Page 229 Notes......Page 250 Bibliography......Page 284 Index......Page 296 About the Author......Page 309 "Why do they hate us so?" Vamik Volkan has the most compelling, humane, and universal response to the riddle of our time. In this extraordinary and timely book, Volkan explains better than anyone the relationship between large-group identities and massive traumas and current events and ongoing conflicts around the world, including those related to the horrific attacks of 9/11. In Killing in the Name of Identity , Volkan has taken us further, and deeper, into the dark and vulnerable collective mind of ethnic, religious, cultural, and national group conflict. Through his eyes and words, we find ourselves looking into and making contact with the universal elements present in humanity and in ourselves, which converge in producing the conditions for great human tragedies. No one understands nor writes about large-group terror and violence in a more compassionate and profoundly instructive way. Massive Trauma In The Republic Of Georgia -- Three Generations At The Golden Fleece -- Waiting Ten Years To Mourn Or Not Mourn -- More On Refugees And Their Linking Objects -- Have You Read Sophie's Choice? -- From Natural Disasters To Ethnic Cleansing -- Awon And Four Thousand Gold Stars -- Hot Places, Memorials, Apologies, And Forgiveness -- The Bataan Death March And Animal Killings -- The Political Ideology Of Entitlement And Chosen, Acute, And Hot Traumas -- From Formal To Unofficial Diplomacy : An Overview -- From Theory To Practice : The Tree Model -- A Fourth Of July Party With Heavy Artillery Fire. Vamik Volkan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 283-293) And Index. This book explores the relationship between group identity and major traumas delivered by enemies around the world, including those related to the attacks of 9/11. The author explores the collective mind of ethnic, religious, cultural and national group conflict