The classic way to contextualize anything political is history. Maybe you can read together about a few civil wars. What made them happen, and how they played o

The classic way to contextualize anything political is history. Maybe you can read together about a few civil wars. What made them happen, and how they played out. And as for chopping of hands, am I right to read this as shariah enforcement? Or something secular? The answer will be very different. My understanding is that even Saudi Arabia is moving away from hand-chopping, so the islamic scholars must turning away from the practice. I am sure there must be a few well spoken ones you could read. If it's secular, then a way to contextualize it is to read about the rule of law: why we have laws in the first place (as opposed to getting together and beating up people we don't like). And why punishments have mostly gotten softer over time.