Introduction
摘要
This introductory chapter highlights the aims of the volume and examines some theoretical aspects of violence in civil wars. The volume addresses the nature of violence, unfolding the motives that led to the adoption of certain types of violence against others; analyses the evolution of violence on each of the warring sides in the civil wars, revealing patterns and transformations that shed light on the underlying dynamics; and examines the role of women as both victims and perpetrators in the civil wars. Particular reference is made to the origins of and approaches to the civil wars under consideration as well as to different types of violence in internal conflicts.