From Lemkin to Clooney: The Development and State of Genocide Studies

Abstract

The study of genocide has become one of the most attractive fields of research since the end of the Cold War. A productive and vibrant scholarly community has come into existence and professional associations compete with each other and foster international exchange by regularly organizing major conferences. Several scholarly journals contribute to a multifaceted research landscape. Similarly impressive is the progressive institutionalization of genocide studies. For most students and scholars, the study of genocide is more than just an academic or intellectual occupation. They see their roles as scholar-activists, but the will to stop genocide is not only prevalent in the ivory tower of academia. A whole plethora of actors in the realm of civil society are running stunning campaigns against genocide that attract both media and public attention. But is the evolution of genocide studies a single success story? This article highlights some methodological and ideological problems inherent in genocide studies (e.g., Eurocentrism) and discusses their consequences for our understanding of mass violence.

Polskie problemy z genocydem Rafała Lemkina

“…Christian missionaries were commissioned to inculcate European ethical values and a colonial working morale among their subject populations. European colonial officials and missionaries thus must be seen as agents of cultural genocide 21 . Podobna tendencja do poszerzania pojęcia ludobójstwa widoczna była w Niemczech, a zaangażowany w ideę budowy Centrum przeciwko Wypędzeniom socjaldemokrata Peter Glotz stwierdzał w "Die Zeit", że ludobójstwem jest każde działanie, które ma na celu "zniszczenie narodowej, religijnej lub etnicznej tożsamości grupy" 22 .…”