A Problem from Hell: Difference between revisions
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A Problem from Hell argues that American citizens, journalists, and policymakers refuse to imagine that genocides can take place, and once atrocities begin, expect that ordinary citizens will |
A Problem from Hell argues that American citizens, journalists, and policymakers traditionally refuse to imagine that genocides can take place, and once atrocities begin, expect that ordinary citizens will avoid persecution. Power argues that Americans would rather negotiate, use traditional diplomacy, urge ceasefires, and donate humanitarian aid than condemn, advocate, or use military action. The book details how American policymakers fail to take the lead on these conflicts, especially since not enough pressure from the public creates risks for inaction. When genocide occurs, policymakers tend to avoid the word "genocide" and argue that national interests trump interest in foreign conflicts, that U.S. response is futile, or that U.S response would amplify atrocities. (Preface, xvii-xviii) |
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Revision as of 20:29, 8 July 2006
"A Problem from Hell": America and the Age of Genocide (Basic Books, 2003, ISBN 0060541644) is a book by Samantha Power, Professor of Human Rights Practice at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, which explores America's relationship with genocides from the Armenian genocide to the "ethnic cleansings" of the Kosovo War. It won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 2003.
Summary
A Problem from Hell argues that American citizens, journalists, and policymakers traditionally refuse to imagine that genocides can take place, and once atrocities begin, expect that ordinary citizens will avoid persecution. Power argues that Americans would rather negotiate, use traditional diplomacy, urge ceasefires, and donate humanitarian aid than condemn, advocate, or use military action. The book details how American policymakers fail to take the lead on these conflicts, especially since not enough pressure from the public creates risks for inaction. When genocide occurs, policymakers tend to avoid the word "genocide" and argue that national interests trump interest in foreign conflicts, that U.S. response is futile, or that U.S response would amplify atrocities. (Preface, xvii-xviii)
External links
References
- Samantha Power: "A Problem from Hell": America and the Age of Genocide. Harper Perennial, 2003. ISBN 9780060541644