In this brief but very timely and arresting work the two authors highlight the most important aspects of what psychoanalysis can contribute to current political problems. They have not let themselves be deterred by any of the prevailing trends which in most studies of this type tend to influence the point of view; on the contrary, they have tried to examine the material at hand with the least possible bias. Their aim is to 'describe and analyze the general psychological forces lying behind the timeless and ubiquitous urge to fight and kill' and their conclusions are based upon a wealth of anthropological and psychoanalytical observations, both of their own and those of others.