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This �polemical� paper is concerned with �testing� key elements of Elias�s theory of �civilising processes� in a non-positivistic sense. More particularly, Elias�s undifferentiated concept of violence is broken down into ten categories, some of which are then used to shed light on war, genocide, crime, punishment and sport seen in long-term perspective. The work of a range of authors who are more or less critical of Elias is next considered and the conclusion reached that, contrary to a common opinion, far from being falsified by their arguments and evidence, Elias�s work is vindicated in most major respects. It, thus, represents what he himself regarded as a breakthrough.
