Governments may initiate mass killings and genocide in order to eliminate perceived threats to their power and control, such as political opponents or minority groups. They may also use these tactics to assert dominance and instill fear among dissidents and the population at large. Additionally, governments may resort to mass violence as a means of achieving ethnic cleansing or creating homogenous societies. In some cases, leaders may use mass killings and genocide as a way to rally support among certain segments of the population or to divert attention from other political or social issues.
