Guilt or innocence is of little consequence once genocide is underway - simply being identified with the offending group is all that matters. Individuals who would never consider genocide as an option on their own can find themselves grwoing fearful that their community is under threat of extinction by another. Although not considered "genocide" by the group commiting the autrocities, genocide becomes a viable option for the survival of the group - eliminate the threat, the community survives. It is this "group think," the underlying terror of annihilation of the community that accepts the annihilation of the offending group as the only option for survival and allows genocide to not only start, but continue for long periods of time.
This is an important book for the times we live in. There is a fragile balance between that sense of secuity a community requires to avoid genocide and the sudden fear of annihilation that a single act by a community of "other" can spark. One need only to remember September 11, 2001 to understand just how fragile that balance is and how quickly a sense of security can be shattered to pieces for a whole community.
Not everyone is going to agree with Wilshire's understanding of genocide - but everyone should be familiar with it.
You can find more information about Bruce Wilshire and the other books he's published at his website BruceWilshire.com.
Article comments
1 - Larry
I recently finished Get Em All Kill Em myself and agree this is a book worth reading. Wilshire writes in an engaging style and his view is compelling. I also recommend it.
2 - Robert
Sounds like an interesting read. With autrocities occuring in Sudan and continued terrorist attacks in Europe I'm hoping this book will give me some insight into what is compelling these people to kill. Thank you for bringing this work to my attention.
3 - Jon
So the thinking is that the group that commits genocide is in a state of fear just like the group they're killing? I'm interested in understanding how this type of fear-fear situation happens and will get myself a copy of the book. It sounds like a thought-provoking thesis and a view that isn't probed in the whole discussion about genocide. Considering the stepped-up terrorism we are experiencing in the world today, understanding the potential motivation that underlies the desire to kill us may help stop it.
4 - beadtot
Name-use schemes can be observed to hit a raw nerve in some constituencies, and yet are fondly embraced in others. Press corps apparently feel justified to 'pull out all the big guns' and simply help snuff or rub out naive or other wise disinterested parties; for this reason, there should be a law which protects individuals from the attention of press corps memberships.