Deviance, terrorism & war : the process of solving unsolved social and political problems

Abstract

Unsolved social and political problems exist at all levels of interaction: in the family, the school, industry, inter-communal relations and inter-state relations. Evidence of unsolved problems are war, revolution, hijacking, murder, assault, destruction of property and others. This book focusses on the common features of these problems and suggests processes for solving them that apply at all levels. After distinguishing between problem-solving and decision-making, Dr. Burton argues that problems not solved within a particular system of thought may require a fundamentally different approach. He critically analyses the hidden assumptions underlying classical and conventional thinking and considers various alternatives. A distinction is made between individual values and human needs that are not merely universal, but which are a necessary pre-condition to a harmonious social organisation. These are used to develop an alternative paradigm which includes problem solving processes as a means of handling situations as well as of analysing them. In conclusion, the author draws the strands together and relates the analysis to the practical realities of unsolved problems.