"Neal Riemer, Andrew V. Stout Professor of Political Philosophy, Emeritus, Drew University, as a contributor to political theory equals most scholars working full time in a faculty....A current example, illustrated in this book, is the group of political scientists, sociologists, international lawyers, historians, and students of international organization, brought together to explore Protection Against Genocide: Mission Impossible....Riemer has demonstrated a remarkable ability to build on the work of other scholars and disciplines and link them with his own scholarly efforts." - Kenneth W. Thompson former Director of the Miller Center and Professor Emeritus University of Virginia
Product Description
Without succumbing to utopian fantasies or "realistic" pessimism, Riemer and his contributors call for strengthening the key institutions of a global human rights regime, developing an effective policy of prudent prevention of genocide, working out a sagacious strategy of keenly targeted sanctions--political, economic, military, judicial--and adopting a guiding philosophy of just humanitarian intervention. They underscore significant changes in the international system--the end of the Cold War, economic globalization, the communications revolution-- that hold open the opportunity for significant, if modest, movement toward strengthening key institutions. The essays explore key problems in working toward prevention of genocide. They highlight the existence of considerable early warning of genocide and emphasize that the real problem is a lack of political will in key global institutions. Sanctions, especially economic sanctions may punish a genocidal regime, but at the expense of innocent civilians. Thus, more clearly targeted sanctions are seen as essential. The argument on behalf of a standing police force to deal with the crime of genocide, as they show, is powerful and controversial: powerful because the need is persuasive, controversial because political realists question its cost and political feasibility. Implementing a philosophy of just humanitarian intervention requires an appreciation of the difficulties of interpreting those principles in difficult concrete situations. A permanent international criminal tribunal to deter and punish genocide, they argue, will put into place a much needed component of a global human rights regime. A thoughtful analysis for scholars and students of international politics and law, and human rights in general.
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