The Girardian Theory

The Girardian Theory, developed by René Girard, explains that human desire is rooted in imitation—people tend to want what others want because they copy each other. This imitation can lead to conflicts or rivalries, especially when desires clash over the same object or goal. To resolve these tensions, communities often unconsciously channel their aggressive impulses toward a scapegoat—an individual or group blamed and expelled to restore peace. This mechanism helps explain how collective violence and social cohesion form, highlighting the importance of understanding imitation and scapegoating in human behavior and societal development.