[notahacker]

I think the point is that Leopold of Belgium, who ordered the atrocities, and the civil service that condoned or encouraged it was highly educated. The world's pioneer in universal education voted for Nazis as the largest party in the Reichstag and implemented the Holocaust. One of the most despicable people behind atrocities carried out by that regime held multiple doctorates. Many peasant societies have been relatively peaceful.

Sure, I don't think the present European powers would take quite the same approach to Belgium, but that has more to do with the nature of politics rather than the availability of education.