I’ve been
asked this question a number of times over the past few weeks. So, I’ll attempt to explain it briefly, though I’m happy to answer questions or go into more detail.
For my
dissertation, I ask: What are the causes of genocide? I know it’s a rather depressing topic, but I am
simultaneously fascinated and disturbed by the fact that genocides continue to
take place. I like to believe that
people are inherently good, though it’s often hard to maintain an optimistic
viewpoint when faced with the reality that it hasn’t been uncommon for people
to attempt to destroy others based on perceived differences.
Many believe that those who commit genocide are psychologically ill. However, numerous people participate in
genocide; in the case of Rwanda, well over one million people participated in
some form or another. And, studies
have shown that, more often than not, people who commit genocide are not
psychopaths but rather psychologically “average.” Thus, we have to look to other factors to understand
genocide, such as the situational context.
To attempt to
understand the causes of genocide, I’m using several methods. The first chapter (yes, dissertations
consist of chapters; they’re essentially books!) is an event history analysis. This is a type of statistical analysis of the
preconditions of genocide in all countries over the last 50 years. Using statistics, I essentially try to better
understand the common factors in states that experience genocide (and those
that do not experience genocide).
This includes a variety of factors, such as societal diversity, the type of government, resource scarcity, and international trading patterns. Overall, I argue that societal,
state, and international factors must be considered when trying to understand
why genocides take place.
Statistical
studies can be very useful to establish general patterns. However, they do not allow a researcher
to take specific histories into account.
Furthermore, myy statistical analysis only looks at causes of genocide
leading up to genocide. But, to
understand the causes of genocide, we also have to understand what drives
genocide. How do genocides
unfold? Is there a process? For these questions, I am working on three
case studies. For my non-social
scientist friends, these are essentially in-depth looks at particular cases of
genocide—the genocides in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Sudan. For each case, I’m trying to understand how the specific
societies, states, and international factors combined to result in
genocide. Beyond this, though, I
am also studying the process of genocides. To do this, I am looking at how genocide unfolded over time
and space; in other words, I am looking at temporal and regional variation in
violence. (For example, why were
some months or some regions within countries more violent than others during
the genocides?) I am using several
different methods, including visits to each of the countries and
interviews with scholars, government employees, activists, and other citizens. Thus, if you
are interested, next spring I’ll be posting about Bosnia, and next summer I’ll
be posting about Sudan.
Thanks to all
of you who have been reading this so far; I’ll be taking a brief hiatus but
will post every so often. I’ll
also be posting more when I travel for the other two cases.
Hollie! Wonderfully-interesting work!! Thanks for blogging ;)
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What is your PhD going to be in, exactly? And where are you getting it from? I don't know if you'd be willing to offer such personal details - I visited Rwanda for a semester in post-conflict reconciliation during my undergrad and I've been looking into programs to further my study into genocide and its causes/prevention. Actually, any insight you could give into whatever program it is that you're doing would be very helpful!
ReplyDeleteCertainly! I'd be happy to chat by email! Do you want to email me at nyset005@gmail.com?
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