René Girard’s concept of the scapegoat mechanism is compelling because it reveals a fundamental pattern in human societies: mimetic desire leads to rivalry, and rivalry escalates to violence. When individuals or groups desire the same object, conflict becomes inevitable. To resolve this chaos, societies often project their collective tensions onto a scapegoat, whose expulsion or sacrifice restores order. This mechanism not only explains the origins of social cohesion but also exposes the hidden violence that underpins cultural and religious rituals. By identifying this pattern, Girard provides a powerful lens for understanding the cyclical nature of conflict and reconciliation in human history.