Divide and Fall?: Bosnia in the Annals of Partition [Paperback]

Radha Kumar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1999

Kumar examines the carve-up of Bosnia, comparing it to earlier divisions of Ireland, India, Palestine and Cyprus, in this major analysis of the post-Cold War revival of ethnic partition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Radha Kumar examines the Dayton Accords process by which Bosnia was carved up into zones of ethnic control--Serbs here, Croats there, Muslims in pockets between. This partition, Kumar argues, follows a procedure that had been largely abandoned until 1974, when Cyprus was bisected into zones of Greek and Turkish control. Ethnic division, Kumar writes, follows a lesser-of-two-evils logic: it is better to separate people along nationalist lines, however sketchy, than to allow them to fight out their differences. But division, though convenient for peacekeepers eager to pull out and go home, in the end may not satisfy the combatants or introduce a real peace. Partitions, in her view, simply do not work: as evidence, she says, consider Palestine and the Indian subcontinent. Kumar's book will fuel much debate. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

A creative and insightful approach to a recurring dilemma in international relations. -- Richard Holbrooke, former US Assistant Secretary of State

A well-researched, thorough and readable account. -- Shashi Tharoor, Executive Assistant to the Secretary General, UN

Kumar invaluably sets what happened in a broader context. -- Ian Williams, The Nation

We should know that partitions do not work but our political lites continue to be drawn to them. After Radha Kumar's devastating and persuasive book, such recourse should be much more difficult, at least in good faith. -- David Rieff, author and journalist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Verso Books (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185984183X
• ISBN-13: 978-1859841839
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,729,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Effective study of the evils of partition, July 31, 2001

By 

William Podmore (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Divide and Fall?: Bosnia in the Annals of Partition (Paperback)

This book is a study of that traditional trick of British diplomacy, partition. Dividing countries is a way of controlling them, before and after independence. The US and British states have divided Yugoslavia, then Bosnia, and now Kosovo. `Ethnic' divisions suit imperialism. Carlos Westendorp, the High Representative in Bosnia, has said that Kosovo's warring factions must be told, "Kosovo doesn't belong to either of you. It's ours. It's the new empire. It's the new colonialism done in the name of the international community."

Kumar examines other examples of partition and addresses the difficulties of reversing it. For instance, Blair's bullying tactics have now stalled the Irish peace process. He set five deadlines for implementing the Good Friday Agreement; he blustered that `there was no Plan B'. According to the Agreement, the IRA did not have to decommission its weapons: then Blair said they would, then he said they wouldn't. As long as the British Government has not set a date for withdrawal, all the Irish parties remain dependent on Britain, relating primarily to the British presence, either loving or hating the `Brits'. Once the Government sets a date, then they will all have to focus on their common task of rebuilding their beautiful country.

In an ironic reversal, partition could now be visited upon Britain; the European Union is regionalising `Euroland', to break up sovereign nation states. It fosters identity politics, puffing up cultural and regional identifications at the expense of class and national realities.

Kumar points out that the way to reverse partition is to achieve peace through development. But the US-British-EU aim of strengthening `market democracy' cuts across this goal, because it generates divisions and inequalities. Every country needs to create a common commitment to a strategy of rebuilding; they each need a workers' nationalism to unite and liberate their country.