Johan Galtung, a Norwegian sociologist and a prominent figure in peace studies, introduced the concepts of direct, structural, and cultural violence as a framework to understand the different forms of violence in society.
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These concepts go beyond traditional definitions of violence and offer a more comprehensive view of the various ways in which harm, injustice, and inequality manifest in human societies.
1. Direct Violence
Direct violence refers to physical harm or force used by individuals, groups, or states against others. This is the most visible form of violence and includes actions such as:
- Physical assault
- War
- Murder
- Terrorism
- Rape
- Torture
Direct violence is intentional and typically involves an identifiable perpetrator and victim. It is the kind of violence that receives the most attention in media and public discourse because of its immediate and dramatic impact.
Example: A person attacking another with a weapon, or a state engaging in military aggression against another country, is an instance of direct violence.
2. Structural Violence
Structural violence refers to harm that is embedded within the social, political, and economic structures of society. It arises from the unequal distribution of power, resources, and opportunities. Unlike direct violence, structural violence does not involve overt physical harm, but it leads to significant suffering, deprivation, and inequality. This type of violence is often invisible and systemic, operating through institutional practices, policies, and social norms that perpetuate inequality.
Structural violence can manifest in various ways, such as:
- Poverty and inequality
- Discrimination (based on race, gender, class, ethnicity, etc.)
- Lack of access to healthcare, education, and basic needs
- Exploitative labor practices
- Political oppression
It is indirect and often goes unnoticed because it is built into the fabric of society. The victims of structural violence may not be aware that they are being harmed because the harm is structural rather than personal.
Example: The systemic oppression of a particular ethnic group, or the global economic inequality where the wealthy nations exploit the resources of poorer countries, resulting in long-term deprivation for the poor.
3. Cultural Violence
Cultural violence refers to the aspects of culture (such as beliefs, ideologies, symbols, and practices) that justify or legitimize direct and structural violence. It is the set of values, traditions, norms, or ideologies that make violence appear acceptable or even necessary in certain situations. Cultural violence is the ideological support that enables and perpetuates both direct and structural violence by making them seem natural or justified.
Cultural violence often takes the form of:
- Nationalism or religious extremism that justifies conflict or discrimination
- Patriarchy that perpetuates gender-based violence
- Racism or ethnic superiority that supports social inequality and exploitation
- The glorification of war and violence in media, literature, or folklore
This type of violence operates at a deeper level by shaping people’s beliefs and attitudes, which in turn influence their behaviors and societal norms.
Example: The belief in a “just war” that justifies military interventions or the use of certain violent practices (such as corporal punishment) based on cultural or religious traditions.
Interconnections Between the Forms of Violence
- Direct violence often arises from structural violence. For example, a person who suffers from extreme poverty (a form of structural violence) may resort to crime or aggression, which then manifests as direct violence.
- Cultural violence legitimizes both direct and structural violence. For example, cultural narratives that promote ethnic superiority can justify racial discrimination (structural violence) and lead to ethnic violence (direct violence).
Summary
Johan Galtung’s framework of direct, structural, and cultural violence helps us understand that violence is not only about physical harm but also about the hidden, systemic inequalities and cultural norms that perpetuate injustice. Direct violence is visible and immediate, structural violence is hidden and systemic, and cultural violence provides the ideological justification for both. This comprehensive view of violence offers valuable insights into the causes of conflict and the ways in which peace can be built through addressing all three types of violence in society.