Toward the Critique of Violence
Book •
In 'Toward the Critique of Violence', Walter Benjamin analyzes how violence underpins law and political authority, distinguishing between law-positing and law-preserving violence.
Written in 1921 amid post–World War I German turmoil, the essay interrogates the state's monopoly on force, the role of punishment and the death penalty, and the paradoxes of revolutionary and preservative violence.
Benjamin introduces the concept of divine violence versus mythic violence, gesturing toward a form of action that might break the cycle binding law to violence.
The essay remains influential in legal, political, and philosophical debates about legitimacy, coercion, and possibilities for radical transformation.
Written in 1921 amid post–World War I German turmoil, the essay interrogates the state's monopoly on force, the role of punishment and the death penalty, and the paradoxes of revolutionary and preservative violence.
Benjamin introduces the concept of divine violence versus mythic violence, gesturing toward a form of action that might break the cycle binding law to violence.
The essay remains influential in legal, political, and philosophical debates about legitimacy, coercion, and possibilities for radical transformation.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 0 episodes
Discussed by 
Gregory Foley
Slouching Towards A Critique of Violence
