Kleinfeld tackles one of the most important and vexing problems in today's world: how societies can cure themselves of violence, criminality, and corruption. She argues that the most destabilizing violence is "Privilege Violence," when a ruling class or criminal gang defends its privileges by deploying thugs--private armies, even--to suppress and terrorize political opponents, other classes, ethnic groups or races. When Privilege Violence takes hold, the government of an affected country cedes its monopoly on the apparatus of law enforcement--its monopoly, ultimately, on violence.

Focusing on Colombia, Sicily, Georgia, and Bihar State in India, with significant comparisons to the United States (especially the American South), Kleinfeld describes how skillful and courageous political leaders have restored peace, democracy, and civility to countries afflicted with Privilege Violence, often by making temporary dirty deals with corrupt politicians, oligarchs and guerrilla leaders: "Countries do not exit Privilege Violence smoothly. They lurch backward and sideways as citizens opt for repression or governments lean toward authoritarianism. Successful reforms spur opponents to regroup. Dirty deals can lead to another round of bloodshed. The places chronicled in this book have far to go. Yet despite their convoluted trajectories, each has made real progress in fostering a state that is less violent, in a sustainable way." (p. 247)

Kleinfeld is mindful of the mistakes that the United States and European democracies make in trying to assist countries in the throes of violence. In particular, "security assistance" in the form of weapons and equipment often props up "states ruling through Privilege Violence." (p. 283), and economic aid can sometimes heighten ethnic tensions (in Afghanistan, for example). Calling for more sophisticated approaches, she warns that even the most well-intentioned foreign involvement can be unwelcome.

Kleinfeld is strikingly well-informed and she draws on an amazing range of scholarship in arriving at prescriptions for healing violent societies. The 300 pages of text are followed by 105 pages of notes and a 38-page bibliography. Her prose is sharp and engaging and her train of thought is usually easy to follow, although there is an occasional page or two that is confusing. ( )