Check out this new paper by Clark McCauley titled “Mass Political Murder: What and Where is the Hate?” This study delves into the role of hate in intergroup conflicts that escalate into genocide or politicide. McCauley defines hate as an extreme form of negative identification that perceives the enemy as possessing a ‘bad essence’. This concept extends beyond mere negative attitudes to include deep-seated beliefs about the inherent nature of the hated group.
The paper reviews significant case studies, including the Nazi Holocaust, the Cambodian genocide, and the Rwandan genocide, highlighting that while leaders of these atrocities often hate their victims, this sentiment is less critical for the actual perpetrators. For the general public, the extent and impact of such hate remain largely unexplored.
McCauley also discusses the implications of measuring hate in both texts and public opinion, suggesting future research directions. He emphasises the importance of understanding the psychological underpinnings of hate, such as the concepts of schadenfreude and gluckschmerz, and their roles in reinforcing negative group identifications.
This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the psychological mechanisms that facilitate mass political murder and offers new avenues for research and intervention.