Micro–macro dimensions of the Bosnian genocides: The circumplex model and violentization theory

The purpose of this paper is to examine accounts of the Bosnian genocides by applying Lonnie Athensʹ violentization theory [Athens, L. (2003). Violentization in larger social context. In L. Athens & J.T. Ulmer (Eds.), Violent acts and violentization: assessing, applying, and developing Lonnie Athensʹ theories (pp. 1–41). Boston: Elsevier Science] and the circumplex theory from family therapy [Olson, D.H. (1995). Family systems: Understanding your roots. In R.D. Day, K.R. Gilbert, B.H. Settles, & W.R. Burr (Eds.), Research and theory in family science (pp. 131–153). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole., Olson, D.H. (2000). Clinical Rating Scale (CRS) for the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems [Brochure]. Minneapolis: Life Innovations]. Following Wintonʹs [Winton M.A. (2005). A circumplex model of genocide. In C. Gabrielle Salfati (Ed.). Homicide research: Past, present and future: Proceedings of the 2005 Meeting of the Homicide Research Working Group (pp. 47–56). Chicago: HRWG., Winton, M.A. (2007). Macro-micro dimensions of genocide: the circumplex model meets violentization theory. Manuscript submitted for publication] model, both structural characteristics of Balkan society (using the circumplex model) and the agency factors of perpetrator actors (using violentization theory) are consistent with the data. Suggestions for further research adding a comparative approach are addressed.