ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explores genocide as the persecution and destruction of human beings on the basis of their presumed or imputed membership in a group, rather than on their individual properties or participation in certain acts. Although it makes little sense to quantify genocide, it is clear that a genocidal process always concerns a society at large, and that genocide destroys a significant and critical part of the affected communities. For electoral-strategic reason, genocide is a phenomenon that is distinct from other forms of mass violence, such as war, civil war, or massacre. The destruction of the other is the validation of the Self. The personal revelation of the grandmother developed into a professional commitment to studying the subject. To them, it is changing political opportunity structures during political violence transitions rather than regime type that predict genocide.
