Why would an anthropologist study violence? On a small scale, violence can harm individuals and on a large scale, lead to societal breakdown and cultural ruin.

Isn’t that fundamentally antisocial? Well, it turns out that violence is highly social, and anthropology has a lot to say about it–from its origins, to its expression, to its relationship to society. And, what we’ve come to understand about violence may help promote peace. In other words, violence may be an inescapable part of human culture–and more closely linked to the better parts of our nature than you may have imagined.

How do we understand or even claim agency in something as seemingly huge as globalization? This video will provide some terms and concepts useful for understanding globalization’s local impacts. Then, host anthropologist Robert Lemelson will reflect on the role anthropology has had to play in perpetuating the harms and dangers that have been part of globalization, but also how anthropologists can help voice stories of resilience, and facilitate new solutions.