is human nature inherently violent?

I'm going to have to agree with Golding on this one. Humans are inherently violent. Humans have killed, maimed and hurt each other ever since a cave-men stole each other's fire. There has never been a time in human history where humanity has lived in peace. In the novel the violence escalates in a Darwinian fashion. The strong systematically disabled the weak. Although physically stronger, Ralph was a weak leader in comparison to Jack. Jack used manipulation, fear and violence to gain power and rule. Boys like Roger easily fit into roles of henchmen in a society that had no consequences for irresponsible authority. This book is riddled with violent encounters. By the end the boys have violently deconstructed themselves into little "savages" to the point of no return.

Also consider that people learn traits of compassion, teamwork, right and wrong. We have safety measures like the police to ensure that those who do not learn this are dealt with. I shudder to say that violence and the urge of our primal desires must be controlled and conditioned out of us from a very early age. If children were left to their own devices, I dare say Golding's vision was not far off the mark.