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"Theories of Civil Violence is much more than the overview of current theories of political contention that it appears initially to be. It is, rather, a case study in which the history of multiple, but selected, streams of conflict theory is used in order to study progress in social science theory generally. . . . There are adept summarizations and shrewd insights aplenty. . . . Anyone interested in metatheory, in the sociology of knowledge, in theoretical change in the social sciences, and especially in popular contention would be well advised to read it."—James W. White, American Journal of Sociology
"Theories of Civil Violence is one of the two or three most important books in conflict theory of the decade."—Ted Robert Gurr, University of Colorado, Boulder
"This is a rich and imaginative work steeped in common sense and directive for improving our understanding. Rule is a master at reflexive discourse. Theories of Civil Violence will surely endure as a chronicle and commentary."—Gary T. Marx, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
About the author
James B. Rule is a sociologist and writer based in Berkeley, California. He is Distinguished Affiliated Scholar at the Center for the Study of Law and Society, part of the UC Berkeley School of Law.
