Our Brains at War The Neuroscience of Conflict and Peacebuilding

Our Brains at War: The Neuroscience of Conflict and Peacebuilding suggests that we need a radical change in how we think about war, leadership, and politics. Most of us, political scientists included, fail to appreciate the extent to which instincts and emotions, rather than logic, factor into our societal politics and international wars. Many of our physiological and genetic tendencies, of which we are mostly unaware, can all too easily fuel our antipathy towards other groups, make us choose 'strong' leaders over more mindful leaders, assist recruitment for illegal militias, and facilitate even the most gentle of us to inflict violence on others. Drawing upon the latest research from emerging areas such as behavioral genetics, biopsychology, and social and cognitive neuroscience, this book identifies the sources of compelling instincts and emotions, and how we can acknowledge and better manage them so as to develop international and societal peace more effectively.

Mari Fitzduff is Professor Emerita at Brandeis University where she was the Founding Director of the international programs in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence. She has undertaken research and training on issues of mediation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Her books include The Psychology of Resolving Global Conflicts: From War to Peace, (co-edited with Chris Stout) , and Why Irrational Politics Appeals: Understanding the Allure of Trump.