ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book shows that physical integrity rights are violated in democracies. It presents in fact that violations of physical integrity rights in democratic contexts are the norm rather than the exception. The book also provides the claim that threats to national security, violent conflict, civil, and international war constitute the only exception to the peace proposition. It proposes a set of specific mechanisms explaining why and when agents of the state may find it in their interest to violate rights to the physical integrity of the person. The book suggests that agents have preferences and interests independent of their principals, and they abuse authority and violate rights for personal reasons. Threats to national security and leaders are believed to be a primary factor explaining violations of physical integrity rights.
