Digital Commons Network^™

September Roundtable: Introduction

Human Rights & Human Welfare

An annotation of:

“The Other War: Iraq Vets Bear Witness” by Chris Hedges and Laila Al-Arian. The Nation, July 30, 2007.

Facing Up To The Truth, Susan E. Waltz

Human Rights & Human Welfare

American GIs who liberated Dachau from the Nazis in April 1945 exist in our collective memory as iconic representations of the American soldier-hero: competent and capable, disciplined, principled and fundamentally good. From their collective example, we expect American soldiers to reveal, report, and excoriate war crimes. This makes it difficult to acknowledge that Americans may also commit war crimes—and on a regular basis.

Who Intervenes And Why It Matters: The Problem Of Agency In Humanitarian Intervention, Eric A. Heinze

Human Rights & Human Welfare

The debate over humanitarian intervention has tended to focus on the conditions under which the resort to armed intervention is permissible while paying less attention to which actors are best suited to engage in such a complicated and demanding undertaking. The purpose of this paper is to explore characteristics that affect the ability of potential agents of humanitarian intervention to effectively undertake this operationally and politically demanding task. While the military wherewithal of the intervener is fundamental, I argue that a potential intervener’s legitimacy as an agent or enforcer of humanitarian norms is also crucial in determining whether and the …

Law In Times Of War: The Case Of Chechnya, Federico Sperotto

Human Rights & Human Welfare

In October 1999 “the second Chechen war” broke out. In December the Russian federal army started an operation to take control of Grozny. During the confrontation between the Federal forces and the Chechen separatists, serious human rights violations occurred. Several cases concerning violations of fundamental rights, in and around the city, have been brought before the European Court of Human Rights against Russia. The lawsuits concerned in particular physical integrity issues. This study provides some insights on the jurisprudence of the European Court on Human Rights in order to ascertain the adequacy of the mechanism of protection provided by the …

"To Strengthen The Colonies": French Labor Policy, Indentured Servants, And African Slaves In The Seventeenth Century Caribbean, Robert Taber

Library Research Grants

No abstract provided.

Pearl Harbor In Reverse: Moral Analogies In The Cuban Missile Crisis, Dominic Tierney

Political Science Faculty Works

During the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, the argument that U.S. air strikes against Soviet missile sites in Cuba would be morally analogous to the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 had a major impact on policymaking. The invocation of this analogy contributed to President John F. Kennedy's decision to forgo an immediate attack on the missiles and to start instead with a naval blockade of the island. The "Pearl Harbor in reverse" argument is an example of an important phenomenon that has received little attention in foreign policy analysis—the moral analogy. Fusing together elements of moral and analogical …

The Place Of Criminology In The Study Of Terrorism: Implications For Homeland Security, Ihekwoaba D. Onwudiwe

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

In this article, I intend to describe the history of terrorism, provide an explanation of some aspects of criminological theories related to the study of terrorism, and briefly articulate the link between criminology, terrorism, and homeland security. While criminology has made significant contributions in the understanding of crime in general, the literature on terrorism and homeland security by criminologists is still emerging. Arguably, this treatise calls for this void to be filled by criminologists, because terrorism and homeland security appropriately belong within the perimeters of criminology. This article employs the methodology of content analysis as used in social science research. …

Private Military Industry And The Laws Of War, Mahmood Monshipouri

Human Rights & Human Welfare

The “war on terrorism,” according to Jeremy Scahill, has led to the most privatized war in the history of the United States of America: the war in Iraq, waged partially by private security contractors who are, for the most part, accountable to no higher legal-political authority. This brings us to an obvious question: Is this type of warfare an imperative part of counterterrorism?

July Roundtable: Introduction

Human Rights & Human Welfare

An annotation of:

“Outsourcing the War ” by Jeremy Schaill. The Nation. May 28, 2007.

The Decline Of The American Superpower, Earl H. Fry

Faculty Publications

By 2040, the United States will no longer be considered as a global superpower and the world may be headed toward a long era devoid of any superpowers. This will occur as a result of several negative trends within the United States itself, combined with changing dynamics and exigencies in the global system and the rise of more powerful competitors in Asia and Europe. The negative trends within the United States include unprecedented governmental and international debt, dysfunctional campaign-finance and lobbying systems, unmanageable entitlement and health-care obligations, a deteriorating public education network, an inordinate concentration of wealth and power in …

The North Korea-China Relationship : Context And Dynamics, Tim Beal

CAPS Working Paper Series

All bilateral relationships are embedded within a wider context, but nowhere is this context more important than in the North Korea China relationship. For North Korea (the DPRK), China has been a bulwark against the United States, and in earlier periods, a counterbalance to the Soviet Union. However, North Korea has always been wary of becoming too dependent on China and one reason, though obviously not the major one, for its desire to establish normal and even friendly, relations with the United States, and Japan, is to offset Chinese influence. For China also, the United States is the main focus …

Hezbollah - Terrorist Or Not?, Erin E. Forsberg

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Determining whether or not an organization such as Hezbollah is or is not a terrorist group is a rather arduous process, especially since the international community can not agree. However, due to the reasons why Hezbollah was first organized and the group's involvement in the Lebanese political system, along with its network of social services, Hezbollah is not a terrorist organization. In order to prove such a bold statement, the first step must undoubtedly be to come up with a workable and effective definition of terrorism that is hopefully free from moral implications. The second step would be to see …

Missing The Point, Colin Thomas-Jensen

Human Rights & Human Welfare

“What would happen if we thought of Darfur as we do of Iraq, as a place with a history and politics—a messy politics of insurgency and counterinsurgency?” (§4). This is the most telling question posed by Professor Mahmood Mamdani in “The Politics of Naming: Genocide, Civil War, Insurgency.” The implication is that the growing public demand for strong international action—military or otherwise—to halt the atrocities in Darfur is somehow unwarranted because people have failed to understand that the systematic crimes against humanity committed against civilians in Darfur (and indeed Iraq) are an inevitability of “the messy politics of insurgency and …

Politics Of Naming And Politics Of Responsibility, Rhoda Howard-Hassmann

Human Rights & Human Welfare

Mahmood Mamdani is right to complain that the American—and international—public is unaware of the political complexity of the Darfur conflict. He is also right to point out that selective or inconsistent uses of the terms “genocide,” “civil war,” and “insurgency” can mask covert, or even overt, political agendas. His comparison of Darfur to Iraq is telling. And he is right to point out that even with the best of humanitarian intentions, the presentation of a simplified version of Darfur, in which “Arabs” persecute “Africans,” can play into the “war on terror,” insofar as, in the minds of at least some …

Throne Names, Pen Names, Horse Names, And Field Names: A Look At The Significance Of Name Change In The Ethiopian Political Sphere, Krista Mehari

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examines the motivations for name changes and the purposes the chosen names accomplish, specifically relating to the Ethiopian political sphere. Throne names and horse names were used solely by the emperors and the ruling class. Those name changes exalted the bearer by either stating his authority or connecting him to divine power. Pen names and field names were used by people not in power to hide their identity from people with the power to harm them. Although the purpose of those name changes was to disguise, the names that were chosen identified the bearer with another person or …

What Are We Fighting For? An Analysis Of The Sociopolitical Non-Fiction Of Herbert George Wells, Jason Edward Sloan

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The legacy of H. G. Wells’ should not be limited to that of a British fiction writer. Wells advocated universal human rights and supported the engagement of broad public policy debate, and he often commented on the British government. His country had lived through World War I, the supposed “war to end all wars.” The roaring 1920’s arrived next, offering hope after World War I’s devastation. World War II was then thrust upon Britain. Wells was incensed that a thirty-year period had elapsed and, despite numerous promises by the British government, no social reform had emerged. For more than a …

Nation-Building: The Dangers Of Weak, Failing, And Failed States, Richard S. Williamson

Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations

No abstract provided.

Rethinking "Nation-Building:" The Contradictions Of Neo-Wilsonian Approach To Democracy Promotion, Roberto Belloni

Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations

No abstract provided.

Formal Models And Conflict Intervention: Success As A Research Program And Policy Relevance, David Carment, Dane Rowlands

Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations

No abstract provided.

Suicidal Terrorism : A Dying Strategy, Michael Jessee Adkins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study identifies a causal model for suicidal terrorism consisting of three primary blocks of factors. First, terrorist organizations must desire to expel a social entity from a geographic area and typically operate with a perception of religious asymmetry. Second, members of terrorist organizations must undergo active exposure to specific socialization practices that directly glorify martyrdom and render suicidal behavior socially acceptable within the context of their community. Third, terrorist organizations must adopt an organizational philosophy that indicates they are capable of achieving victory. This study analyzes the characteristics of several high-profile terrorist organizations to demonstrate the noted factors are …

Walter Laqueur: The Last Days Of Europe Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Are We Prematurely Designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards As Criminal-Soldiers?, Robert J. Bunker, Hakim Hazim

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

The recent U.S. consideration to designate the 125,000 person strong Revolutionary Guard of Iran as a "specially designated global terrorist" (per Executive Order 13224) has quite a few international security implications. (1) On the most basic level, it highlights growing U.S. and Iranian tensions over Iran's nuclear weapons program and Iranian involvement—via its Quds Force belonging to the Revolutionary Guard—in both fermenting and supporting terrorist and insurgent activities in Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

What may be far more significant, however, is the U.S. designating the military branch of a sovereign state as a terrorist organization. In the past, such …

Congressional Testimony: Beijing, Unrestricted Warfare, And Threat Potentials, Robert J. Bunker

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

This is a transcript of a hearing on "China’s Military Modernization and Its Impact on the United States and the Asia-Pacific, Panel II: Beijing’s Doctrine on the Conduct of 'Irregular Forms of Warfare'" before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

Punishment And Political Order, Keally D. Mcbride

2019 USF Faculty and Staff Books

Most of us think of punishment as an ugly display of power. But punishment also tells us something about the ideals and aspirations of a people and their government. How a state punishes reveals whether or not it is confident in its own legitimacy and sovereignty. Punishment and Political Order examines the questions raised by the state's exercise of punitive power--from what it is about human psychology that desires sanction and order to how the state can administer pain while calling for justice. Keally McBride's book demonstrates punishment's place at the core of political administration and the stated ideals of …

The Effects Of Economic Crisis, Domestic Discord, And State Efficacy On The Decision To Initiate Interstate Conflict, Charles Boehmer

Departmental Papers (PS)

Studies of diversionary conflict typically claim that lower rates of economic growth and domestic unrest increase the risk of militarized interstate conflict. However, extant research shows that these factors are also related to regime changes. Lower rates of economic growth and domestic conflict should increase the risk that governments are overthrown. This paper investigates the comparative risk of economic growth and domestic turmoil on militarized interstate conflict and regime changes on a sample of over a hundred countries from 1920-1992. I find that higher rates of economic growth are related to violent militarized interstate conflicts and reduce the risk of …

Th Politics Of Hate: Ultranationalist And Fundamentalist Tactics And Goals, Joan Davison

Faculty Publications

Ultranationalist and religious fundamentalist movements frequently use hate to mobilize people. These groups possess a sophisticated understanding of the importance of appealing to the emotions. Leaders often employ xenophobic language intended to inspire fear and justify a defensive reaction. The movements also rely heavily upon symbols, myths, and public events to simplify and communicate the "truths" of their ideologies. The leaders convey messages with tremendous affective appeal. Yet, measures exist to counter and contain the politics of hate. The development of civil society, group rights, a free media, and integrated institutions can contribute to a durable solution in cases of …

Human Rights And The War On Terror: Complete 2005 - 2007 Topical Research Digest, Jack Donnelly, Simon Amajuru, Susannah Compton, Robin Davey, Syd Dillard, Amanda Donahoe, Charles Hess, Sydney Fisher, Kelley Laird, Victoria Lowdon, Chris Maggard, Alexandra Nichols, Travis Ning, Toni Panetta, Greg Sanders, James Smithwick, Angela Woolliams, Chris Saeger, Sarah Bania-Dobyns, Eric Dibbern, David Gillespie, Latife Bulur, Katie Friesen, Arika Long, Arianna Nowakowski, Joel R. Pruce

Human Rights & Human Welfare

“9/11 changed everything.” Not really. In fact, there has been far more continuity than change over the past six years in both international and domestic politics. Nonetheless, human rights often have been harmed—although not by terrorism but by “the war on terror.”

Let Privateers Marque Terrorism: A Proposal For A Reawakening, Robert P. Dewitte

Indiana Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Why Has Violence Come To Dominate Images Of Png Elections? The 2002 Elections In The Highlands Region, Krisztina Matefy

Theses : Honours

This thesis examines the problem of election-related violence through a number of meta-theories, which have recently emerged in the social sciences to explain intrastate conflicts. By using the case study of the 2002 elections in the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (PNG), this thesis examines the applicability and usefulness of primordialism, modernization theory and weak state theory in explaining election-related violence in PNG. Critically examining the theories, the thesis analyses a wide range of information about the historical, cultural, social and political factors that played a significant role in the surfacing of election-related violence in the PNG Highlands. By …

Roger Scruton: The West And The Rest Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In The West and the Rest, Scruton examines the clash between two civilizations: Islam and the West. He contrasts the dynamic, highly institutionalized, but increasingly decadent secular legal tradition of the West, which promotes such ideas as citizenship, corporate personality, and territorial jurisdiction, with the backward-looking but unified vision of a universal community associated with the Koran. One thing that troubles the relationship of these two civilizations today is a crisis of confidence in the West, which has produced a nihilistic, self-condemning “culture of repudiation.” This countercultural solvent has been infiltrating the flood of cultural byproducts of the West that …