Hatred is a fundamental human emoti

Hatred is a fundamental human emotion that has deep roots in society and
culture. Psychologists believe that group identity and cohesion depend to a large
extent on having a common enemy. It seems that the existence of ‘bad guys’ is an
important element in defining who we are within a larger realm.
5 The first signs appear early in life when a child faced with blame for some
mistake, immediately accuses another child or an inanimate object such as a teddy
bear. Later, in the school playground, children in rival groups vie for attention and
influence. These basic responses translate into more powerful emotions later in life.
​One area where deep-rooted hatred is exhibited is in the ethnic clashes that
10 constantly occur around the globe. These conflicts are not only over territory but
also involve emotional issues of group identity and unity of purpose. For many,
there is no ‘us’ without a ‘them’ to hate. In a world where conflict between
superpowers is on the decline, it may be that humanity will have difficulty adapting
to a state of mutual respect and cooperation.