The Scapegoat - by René Girard

In The Scapegoat, René Girard explores the concept of scapegoating in human societies, arguing that the mechanism of collective violence directed at a chosen victim is central to the formation of social cohesion and order. Drawing on examples from literature, history, and anthropology, Girard presents his theory of mimetic desire—the idea that human conflict arises from imitation, where individuals or groups desire what others have, leading to rivalry and violence.