Genocide Discourses: American and Russian Strategic Narratives of Conflict in Iraq and Ukraine

This paper presents the concept of “genocide discourses”, defined as a type of strategic narrative that shapes the way individuals and groups position themselves and others and act, playing a critical role in the production of violence and efforts to reduce it. Genocide discourses tend to present genocide as fundamentally a-political, and hold that genocidal systems are dislodged only when they are swept away through external violence. Secondly, genocide discourses are built on an assumption that the victims of genocide are necessarily moral innocents, not parties in conflict. These two factors make genocide discourses highly effective in conferring moral capital upon certain actors in a conflict. The two principles converge to produce strategic narratives that direct political and military actions in certain ways in the context of contentious conflicts and political violence, motivating humanitarian responses in defense of certain groups, or sustaining popular support for foreign wars. The paper illustrates the argument by examining two case studies between 2014 and 2017: the debates in the United States over Islamic State genocides, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia

Genocide Discourses: American and Russian Strategic Narratives of Conflict in Iraq and Ukraine

This paper presents the concept of “genocide discourses”, defined as a type of strategic narrative that shapes the way individuals and groups position themselves and others and act, playing a critical role in the production of violence and efforts to reduce it. Genocide discourses tend to present genocide as fundamentally a-political, and hold that genocidal systems are dislodged only when they are swept away through external violence. Secondly, genocide discourses are built on an assumption that the victims of genocide are necessarily moral innocents, not parties in conflict. These two factors make genocide discourses highly effective in conferring moral capital upon certain actors in a conflict. The two principles converge to produce strategic narratives that direct political and military actions in certain ways in the context of contentious conflicts and political violence, motivating humanitarian responses in defense of certain groups, or sustaining popular support for foreign wars. The paper illustrates the argument by examining two case studies between 2014 and 2017: the debates in the United States over Islamic State genocides, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia

The Ursinus Weekly, May 6, 1940

Speaker Clinchy shows threat of ideology clash • Open house program includes track meet, exhibits, exams • Penn invites three to bicentennial this fall • Seniors revolutionize program of Class Day • Le Art\u27s Ambassadors to play for May hop • King\u27s daughters is feature of Mothers\u27 Day entertainment • The lovable Sycamore family comes to Ursinus • Dubuque wins contest • Lantern deadline announced • Review of Ursinus athletic program • Counseling system used aids student adjustment • Placement tests indicate high ranking of Ursinus freshmen • Application of three tests to educational institutions should precede matriculation • Ursinus graduates win med. school success • Lookin\u27 at Ursinus and where we live • Footprints is novel theme featured as Ruby makes earliest debut in years • French, German clubs to give joint doggie roast and sing • Phys Ed. Club elects • Manuscript Club elects Shisler • Varsity acquires wins from Leb. Valley, Swarthmore; J.V.\u27s lose to Brown Prep • Raban breaks Ursinus record as bears lose • Over 500 compete in scholastic meet here • Racqueteers top Swarthmore co-eds; men lose to F. and M. • Hillegass, Wood elected heads of forum group • Showalter inducted into office at banquet of student council • Dr. Stoner to address pre-meds. on Tuesday • Mauchly attends Washington convention of physics society • Bruehl talks to Newman Club • Tau Sig\u27s exhibit hobbies • Dr. Russell Sturgis discusses cultural aspects of sciences • Fraternity election resultshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1843/thumbnail.jp