In their book ‘The Evolution of Violence’, historian Kai Michel, archaeologist Harald Meller, and primatologist Carel van Schaik explore humanity’s historical relationship with aggression and war. They argue that humans thrived for 2.5 million years without warfare, highlighting that it is a recent development linked to power disparities. They emphasize our capacity for peaceful coexistence, drawing parallels between our ancestors and modern relatives, like bonobos and chimpanzees. The authors assert a need for societal change, advocating for democratization and equality to foster a more peaceful future.