ABSTRACT
Essentially, this book comprises an attempt to write about genocide in a way that weaves in the criminological literature where appropriate in order to provide a richer and deeper understanding of genocide. Criminology, with its focus on various types of criminality and violence, has much to offer in terms of explaining the origins, dynamics, and facilitators of this particular form of collective violence. In many ways, however, this is not solely a criminological examination of genocide, but also an interdisciplinary one. Criminology itself is a very interdisciplinary discipline (if that isn’t too nonsensical a phrase!), and has historically borrowed a great deal of material from the various social sciences. This book is written in that tradition. Throughout this volume, the reader will encounter many ideas, theories, examples, and issues that are derived from sociology, psychology, history, anthropology, political science, as well as criminology and criminal justice. Genocide is a complex and multifaceted type of crime, and no single theory and no single discipline can hope to provide a reasonably comprehensive and coherent understanding of the nature and dynamics of this phenomenon. In many ways, trying to understand genocide is like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle. Before a lucid picture emerges, many different shaped pieces must be put in place in a way that allows them to fit together. Hopefully, in this book, I’ve been able to put different pieces together from various disciplines and approaches in a way that makes sense and allows for a reasonably accurate picture to emerge.
