Why do people commit hate crimes? A world-leading criminologist explores the tipping point between prejudice and hate crime, analysing human behaviour across the globe and throughout history in this vital book.

At what point does prejudice become hate crime?

Hate crimes are spiraling to an all-time high on both sides of the Atlantic, with minorities experiencing the largest increase in hostility towards their race, nationality, sexuality and religion since records began. Whilst recent political turmoil could be a contributing factor to this spike, Professor Matthew Williams shows that there is nothing temporary about the hate that has been stirred up.

Drawing on 20 years of experience as a criminologist studying and interviewing the victims and perpetrators of hate - combining neuroscience, psychology, sociology, computer science and economics - The Science of Hate examines the illusive 'tipping point' at the intersection of prejudice and hate, traversing the globe and reaching back through history, from our tribal ancestors in pre-history to artificial intelligence in the 21st century.