Columnist Bill Jones bemoans a world spiraling into increasing violence, but he need not worry. Despite the daily deluge of "if-it-bleeds-it-leads" stories inflicted on us by the media, the fact is that violence in America and around the world has actually decreased dramatically ("Violence's 'descending spiral,'" March 19).
Yes, we do see terrorism, revolution and civil wars. But the major powers of the world have not directly engaged in wars against one another for an unprecedented 70 years. Deaths per 1,000 population as a result of military action have declined from more than 20 in the 1940s to under 10 in the 1970s and less than two today. And that includes all the current mayhem in the Middle East.
Homicide rates are down in both the U.S. and Europe. American violent crime victims have declined from 51.2 per 1,000 to 15. Child abuse, spousal abuse, sexual assault and even animal abuse are also down, despite more thorough and accurate reporting.
Nuclear arsenals remain a threat, but the number of actual warheads has been radically cut in recent decades, and no nuclear weapon has been used against a civilian population since 1945.
Mr. Jones might want to read "The Better Angels of our Nature" by Steven Pinker. This 400-plus page study will convincingly allay his fears. So will similar work by researchers Joshua Goldstein and John Horgan.
There still is far too much violence in the world. But the good news is that it is decreasing, and trends suggest that it will continue to decrease in the future. Let us all do our part to make that happen.
Dick Boulton, Ellicott City