Human Conflict: Winning the Peace

In a special issue on human conflict, Science Magazine considers the deep evolutionary roots of violent confrontation - tracing the trajectory of violence and war throughout history, exploring racism, ethnic conflicts, the rise of terrorism, and the possible future of armed conflicts. The editors also consider our innate capacity to mediate conflict and our ability to achieve, and live in, peace.

The wide-ranging special section looks at the past and future of conflict and the kinds of data needed to analyze it. The editors emphasize their hope that understanding how human societies have overcome the odds and developed peaceful relations will help chart a path to a less violent future.