Self-interest, not frustrated needs, drives many genocides

Evidence

In certain cases difficult life conditions may increase the likelihood of a group turning against others, but they are not central starting points. Even group conflict, where each side wants something from the other, may not be important. The motivation for violence may not originate in the frustration of basic needs described earlier. This is primarily the case when genocide or mass killing develops out of self-interest, as in the destruction of the Ache Indians in Paraguay in the service of the economic development of the for­ ests that were their home. In cases of mass killing or genocide of indigenous peoples (Hitchcock & Twedt, 1997), self-interest is often a central motive. — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide, 164

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Base Nation and settler-colonial genocides where land/resource expropriation motivated violence.