Triggers of Mass Atrocities

Abstract

The concept of "triggers" enjoys wide usage in the atrocity prevention policymaking community. However, the concept has received limited academic analysis. This paper reviews the concept critically, develops a definition, and subjects the concept to empirical analysis. The paper offers a mild endorsement of the concept of triggers of atrocity. The paper identifies four main categories of triggering event but cautions that triggers cannot be separated from context or decision-makers.

Comparing Protest Massacres

“…Other types of atrocities have been accounted for by “triggers” ‐ which are relevant concepts in the field of atrocity‐prevention (Straus, ). Straus () traces four categories of triggers across 16 most‐different country cases that experienced atrocities ‐ including the Holocaust, Rwanda, and Bosnia.…”

“…Other types of atrocities have been accounted for by “triggers” ‐ which are relevant concepts in the field of atrocity‐prevention (Straus, ). Straus () traces four categories of triggers across 16 most‐different country cases that experienced atrocities ‐ including the Holocaust, Rwanda, and Bosnia. The categories of atrocity triggers consist of changes in a country's strategic environment, territorial takeovers mixed with perceiving populations as enemies; crackdowns on protest; violations of symbolically significant institutions (Straus, : 11).…”

“…Straus () traces four categories of triggers across 16 most‐different country cases that experienced atrocities ‐ including the Holocaust, Rwanda, and Bosnia. The categories of atrocity triggers consist of changes in a country's strategic environment, territorial takeovers mixed with perceiving populations as enemies; crackdowns on protest; violations of symbolically significant institutions (Straus, : 11). The third category ‐ crackdowns on protest is noted by Straus () to be a less common, but salient trigger for atrocity.…”

“…The categories of atrocity triggers consist of changes in a country's strategic environment, territorial takeovers mixed with perceiving populations as enemies; crackdowns on protest; violations of symbolically significant institutions (Straus, : 11). The third category ‐ crackdowns on protest is noted by Straus () to be a less common, but salient trigger for atrocity. Crackdowns on protest are classified in two forms ‐ either in response to a contested election result or in response to a revolutionary social movement (Straus, : 13).…”

“…The third category ‐ crackdowns on protest is noted by Straus () to be a less common, but salient trigger for atrocity. Crackdowns on protest are classified in two forms ‐ either in response to a contested election result or in response to a revolutionary social movement (Straus, : 13). Although Straus does not explicitly define his usage of “violent crackdown” and the extent of severity behind crackdowns, the underlying idea does indicate that state repression can have dislocatory impacts on social structures and pillars of political power.…”