The Problems of Genocide

More about the book

The book explores genocide not just as mass death but as a concept that shapes perceptions of civilian destruction. A. Dirk Moses critiques the hierarchy in international criminal law that prioritizes genocide, arguing it obscures other forms of violence against civilians, such as bombings and collateral damage from military actions. He posits that discussions around genocide can divert attention from systematic state violence, linking this to the notion of 'permanent security' where states and armed groups seek to eliminate perceived threats.