ABSTRACT
This chapter reports a synthesis of the results of two cross-cultural studies ——one dealing with feuding, the other with internal war; in each study three hypotheses, each stemming from one of the above three aspects of society, were tested using samples of 50 societies. Armed combat between culturally similar peoples is a widespread social phenomenon; it has been found in both primitive groups and historical nations and continues in some modern nations. Two types of armed combat involving culturally similar peoples can be distinguished: feuding, or blood revenge following homicide, which occurs within a political community; and internal war which occurs between political communities. Three aspects of society can be examined for factors which may influence the occurrence of feuding and internal war: social structure, political organization, and intersocietal relations. In times of war, in order to present a united front and to staff the military organization, suppression of armed combat and violence is necessary.
