Selected papers from a conference on "Violence as a Social Institution" held in St. Andrews, Scotland, in January, 1985.

The phenomenon of violence / David Riches -- Insurrections in Spain / John Corbin -- "Le Mal Court" / Elisabeth Copet-Rougier -- The ritual use of violence / Suzette Heald -- Images of cannibalism, death, and domination in a "non-violent" society / Joanna Overing -- The beauty of violence / Brian Moeran -- Honour, integrity, and the problem of violence in the Spanish bullfight / Garry Marvin -- Fighting in an Australian Aboriginal supercamp / David McKnight -- "Casuals," "terrace crews" and "fighting firms" / Eric Dunning, Patrick Murphy, and John Williams -- Violence in rural Northern Ireland / Graham McFarlane -- Violence and will / David Parkin.