Document Type
Book Chapter
Version
Author's Final Manuscript
Publication Title
De Gruyter Handbook of the Psychology of Terrorism
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
This chapter reviews the psychologies that enable mass killing of civilians by government (politicide). A typology of perceived threats is advanced, with special attention to contamination threat and essentializing the enemy. Three groups of actors are distinguished: perpetrators, leaders, and the mass public that leaders and actors claim to represent. Predictors of genocide are considered, highlighting the importance of means and opportunity.
Citation
McCauley, Clark. 2026. "Genocide and Politicide: The Psychology of State Terrorism". In De Gruyter Handbook of the Psychology of Terrorism, edited by Clark R. McCauley, Sophia Moskalenko, and Gina Scott Ligon, 225-236. Berlin: De Gruyter. https://doi-org.proxy.brynmawr.edu/10.1515/9783111444529-019.
DOI
https://doi-org.proxy.brynmawr.edu/10.1515/9783111444529-019