Murder Rates are Declining

There's a myth that today's society is more violent and murderous than it was in the past. People will tell you they're more frightened to leave the house than they used to be, based on a fear of violent crime. Apparently, we're told, this violence is a modern phenomenon.

Only it isn't. In fact, murderousness used to be more much more prevalent in history than it is today. Back in mediaeval times, the feudal system meant that the peasantry was duty bound to fight and die for their feudal lord in the frequent conflicts which arose between lordships and kingdoms. Life was, for most people, brutal and violent.

Fast forward to today and you find that most people are pretty tame and sedentary by comparison to their forebears. The result is that murder rates are lower now than at any time in recorded history: