A Structural Theory of Aggression

Abstract

The article, which is completely theoretical with no attempts at empirical verification, develops a structural theory of aggression between individuals, groups and nations. The theory sees a social system as a system of units in interaction and multi-dimen sionally stratified according to a number of rank-dimensions. The theory tries to locate the maximum probability of aggression against other units, and after exclusion of one- dimensional rank or the complete topdog and complete underdog positions and ex cluding one-dimensional downward and upward mobility as a suitable basis of ex planation, settles for rank-disequilibrium as a (nearly) sufficient condition. The theo retical basis is the differential treatment and relative deprivation that follows from rank- disequilibrium, the resources that the high status provides the unit with to improve his low status, and the sense of self-righteousness that easily develops. A methodology for testing the theory is developed, and a number of implications for the theory of the consequences of economic development, the theory of revolutions, for the number of nations in the international system or the number of rank criteria used are examined. Three world orders are thought to be aggression-reducing: a feudal international order, 57119 a highly pluralistic system with many nations or rank criteria and a highly unitary system with a world-state or one rank-criterion. The importance of economic develop ment in such a way that there is a multi-dimensional growth and a parallel develop ment between nations is emphasized. © 1964, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.