The most peaceful era? Right now.

[The Dharma Bum]

[Sandman]

I can't speak for anyone else here, but I've read the entirety of Pinker's book, and I also read your linked refutation of the book, and I think that, like you, the authors of the refutation (Herman and Peterson) are relying on an incredibly nebulous definition of causation on the part of the US, in terms of what they (and you) directly attribute to us. ie: A "U.S. client" was involved in the Rwandan government, therefore the entire Rwandan genocide was a U.S. action. And on and on like that. The logic is insane when you really flesh it out. I can see why you have to re-define the very word "violence" just to support it.

[Professor]

[The Dharma Bum]

It doesn't really matter who is blamed for it as much as it is understood that this violence happened and therefore this is not an era of peace. Whether or not the US is guilty of it or not is really immaterial but for some reason the conversation keeps coming back to apologetics for US imperialism and interventionism.

Anyway, the story in Rwanda is little more complicated than you suppose it to be:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/world ... congo.html

This isn't the whole story, but you get the picture. We did nothing because at the time we were looting Congo and these people where in the way so Clinton looked the other way as they were slaughtered.

[Professor]

If violence is any human activity that causes human death, then simply living is violent. After all, my life will ultimately lead to my death.

[The Dharma Bum]

[The Dharma Bum]

[NAB]

[The Dharma Bum]

Ok how about this?

Deaths attributable to acts or policies of democide, politicide, and genocide. The activity can either consciously or unconsciously driven. And includes collateral and associated damages.

[NAB]