Revisiting structural violence: Galtung’s legacy and power relations

Although Galtung is best known for his research on peace and conflict resolution strategies, his work also extensively addresses the issue of violence. In particular, he is credited with expanding the understanding of violence beyond physical aggression, identifying its cultural and structural dimensions. His analysis of structural violence has been especially significant, contributing to the work of scholars across various disciplines in examining systemic inequalities. However, Galtung’s concept of structural violence has also been criticized. In short, the literature suggests that it is too vague, with the relationships between power, inequality, and harm becoming blurred. This paper seeks to address these shortcomings, particularly by clarifying the characteristics of structural violence and its connection to power relations. This will establish a connection between structural violence and Foucault’s concept of states of domination—namely, specific arrangements of power relations marked by the lack of freedom. These clarifications will also enable a brief review of Galtung’s violence triangle, with a particular focus on the relationship between structural and direct violence.