- Summary
- This dissertation examines the nexus between global and genocidal processes with an emphasis on how crimes against humanity are instigated and intensified by propaganda and globalizing technologies, respectively. The introduction provides a definition for globalizing technologies and details the genocidal trends that today's globalizing technologies have produced, which the author coins as the intensity of reciprocity. The intensity of reciprocity not only describes the ease in which today's globalizing technologies allow for revenge killings during and after genocide, but also draws connections with the techniques employed by perpetrators of other crimes against humanity (e.g., terrorism). The methodology chapter (2) explores contemporary definitions of globalization and critiques genocide's insular definition in the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide. The author emphasizes that, while globalization is inevitable, it does not necessarily offer a promising outlook as evidenced in the increase in conflicts, wars, genocidal regimes, and terrorism during the 20th century. Utilizing Gregory H. Stanton's (1996) "Eight Stages of Genocide" to examine the nexus between global and genocidal trends during the 16th century Portuguese empire-building, 19th century American expansion, and the 20th century Rwandan colonial experience, the author demonstrates how genocide occurs in stages that are intensified by globalizing technologies in transportation, communication, and information systems when coupled with dehumanizing propaganda and interests in economic accrual. The next three chapters focus on the colonial histories of Portugal, U.S., and Rwanda, respectively, and reveal how the stages of genocide have always existed in the process of globalization. During each of these globalizing period, economic (e.g., territory, trade, and resources) and extra-economic (e.g., religious, ethnic, and racial) justifications were used to mobilize people to commit atrocities against the targeted groups. The author concludes that dehumanizing propaganda rests on the use of previous resentments and the use of globalizing technologies to disseminate hatreds between groups of people. This study examines the social-cultural foundations of what drives a group of people to kill another group. This dissertation's contribution is that it offers an historical view of the nexus between global and genocidal processes and highlights the potential dangers of our contemporary, global milieu.
- Format
- Book
- Author/Creator
- Pagan, Jimmy M., 1977-
- Published
- [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 2004
- Notes
-
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 218-235).
Photocopy. Ann Arbor, Mich. : UMI Dissertation Services, 2005. 22 cm.
Dissertations and Theses
