The Genocide Contagion: How We Commit and Confront Holocaust and Genocide

by Israel W. Charny

Overview

In The Genocide Contagion, Israel W. Charny asks uncomfortable questions about what allows people to participate in genocide—either directly, through killing or other violent acts, or indirectly, by sitting passively while witnessing genocidal acts. Charny draws on both historical and current examples such as the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide, and presses readers around the world to consider how they might contribute to genocide. Given the number of people who die from genocide or suffer indirect consequences such as forced migration, Charny argues that we must all work to resist and to learn about ourselves before critical moments arise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442254367
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	07/15/2016
Series:	Studies in Genocide: Religion, History, and Human Rights
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	252
File size:	989 KB

About the Author

Israel W. Charny is an Israeli psychologist and genocide scholar. He is executive director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide in Jerusalem and retired professor of psychology and family therapy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Table of Contents

Who Are We Human Beings? How Do Ordinary People Commit Violence?The Foundations of Evil in Human NatureExaggerated Self-Defense, Exaggerated Power, and Dehumanization“Just Like Everyone Else”: Conformity and the Lure of the Golden CalfSS Footsteps: Putting on the Uniforms of Camp Guards and Sacrificing Others“I Did Nothing Wrong”: Denial and Improper Management of EmotionsSumming Up: Who Are We and What Will Become of Us?Independent Study: Learning Exercises about How We Cause Harm and Protect Life
Appendix: Studies on Israeli Willingness to Commit Evil
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Genocide is not a 'thing of the past.' It's happening in war zones around the world and is hinted at in political speeches by right-wing ideologues. That's why this eye-opening book is so important.” —Spirituality & Practice

“Delivered in lively, accessible, and approachable format, The Genocide Contagion is suitable for a broad array of audiences and learners. Charny neither minces words nor overloads (or overlords) with agony. His work is neither human rights stenography nor human rights pornography. Charny emphasizes the capacity of the human spirit to harm and to recover, to injure and to atone: and, all the while, he maintains a cool faith in the power of pedagogy, prevention, and perseverance in draining the contagiousness of genocide and ultimately eradicating this blight upon humanity.” —Genocide Studies and Prevention

“The Genocide Contagion takes up the challenge of explaining why these crimes keep happening despite ‘Never again.’ What is their basis in human psychology, and how may they be predicted and averted? Israel Charny is well suited to undertake the task. He is one of the earliest and one of the most thoughtful and dedicated of Holocaust scholars, concerned with what happens before the killing begins and why people in large numbers can be led to participate in it…. The Genocide Contagion is a valuable, thought-provoking contribution to our examination of this sad history and of our potential roles in continuing or ending it.” —PsycCRITIQUES

“Dr. Israel W. Charny, one of the pioneers of the field of genocide studies and an eminent psychologist, has produced yet another work that is insightful and thought-provoking. As this new book attests, Charny is a scholar with a sharp mind and a compassionate heart. The unique combination of true incidents, fictional scenarios, and exercises encourages readers to explore who they really are and to delve deeply into what they really think, believe, and feel about a host of critical and controversial issues germane to crimes against humanity and genocide. These Learning Exercises make the book a powerful read. If you are familiar with Charny's work then you will rejoice at this new publication; if you aren't, then welcome to a new intellectual and moving venture.” —Samuel Totten, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; author of Genocide by Attrition: Nuba Mountains, Sudan, The Bok Blog

“While this book is at first glance an introductory text on genocide, it is at the same time much more than that. Israel Charny is one of the pioneers of genocide studies and a doyen in the field. Here, he has asked (and answered) key questions regarding the psychological dynamics of those who commit genocide and those who collaborate with the murderers. But he goes further and looks carefully at those who say no when called upon to participate in the killing process. Charny seeks to look deep into the heart of heartlessness, with a view to identifying the evil that men and women do. This is a fascinating journey for which Professor Charny is to be commended.” —Paul R. Bartrop, Florida Gulf Coast University

“In this thought-provoking and eclectic volume, Charny engages in an innovative conversation with his readers. Drawing on his own well-known work, and that of several classic genocide studies scholars, he asks us to confront fundamental and difficult questions about ourselves. Could I be a bystander to genocide? Could I be a perpetrator?” —Maureen S. Hiebert, University of Calgary

“I've found the book to be incredibly useful in the two courses I teach on genocide and mass violence, especially when it comes to getting students to step into the shoes of the perpetrators and understand their motivations (however uncomfortable that may be). This has become a staple of my pedagogy. As an instructor who has always stressed the importance of teaching history through role-playing, I think the immersion exercises offer an effective means of instilling students with a potent mix of empathy and revulsion, which in turn allows them to grasp why genocide occurs and how it can be prevented while simultaneously reacting to atrocities as any right-thinking person should.” —Bradley J. Nichols, Virginia Tech

From the Publisher

While this book is at first glance an introductory text on genocide, it is at the same time much more than that. Israel Charny is one of the pioneers of genocide studies and a doyen in the field. Here, he has asked (and answered) key questions regarding the psychological dynamics of those who commit genocide and those who collaborate with the murderers. But he goes further and looks carefully at those who say no when called upon to participate in the killing process. Charny seeks to look deep into the heart of heartlessness, with a view to identifying the evil that men and women do. This is a fascinating journey for which Professor Charny is to be commended.

Paul R. Bartrop

I've found the book to be incredibly useful in the two courses I teach on genocide and mass violence, especially when it comes to getting students to step into the shoes of the perpetrators and understand their motivations (however uncomfortable that may be). This has become a staple of my pedagogy. As an instructor who has always stressed the importance of teaching history through role-playing, I think the immersion exercises offer an effective means of instilling students with a potent mix of empathy and revulsion, which in turn allows them to grasp why genocide occurs and how it can be prevented while simultaneously reacting to atrocities as any right-thinking person should.

Bradley J. Nichols

Genocide is not a 'thing of the past.' It's happening in war zones around the world and is hinted at in political speeches by right-wing ideologues. That's why this eye-opening book is so important.

Spirituality & Practice

Delivered in lively, accessible, and approachable format, The Genocide Contagion is suitable for a broad array of audiences and learners. Charny neither minces words nor overloads (or overlords) with agony. His work is neither human rights stenography nor human rights pornography. Charny emphasizes the capacity of the human spirit to harm and to recover, to injure and to atone: and, all the while, he maintains a cool faith in the power of pedagogy, prevention, and perseverance in draining the contagiousness of genocide and ultimately eradicating this blight upon humanity.

Genocide Studies and Prevention

Dr. Israel W. Charny, one of the pioneers of the field of genocide studies and an eminent psychologist, has produced yet another work that is insightful and thought-provoking. As this new book attests, Charny is a scholar with a sharp mind and a compassionate heart. The unique combination of true incidents, fictional scenarios, and exercises encourages readers to explore who they really are and to delve deeply into what they really think, believe, and feel about a host of critical and controversial issues germane to crimes against humanity and genocide. These Learning Exercises make the book a powerful read. If you are familiar with Charny's work then you will rejoice at this new publication; if you aren't, then welcome to a new intellectual and moving venture.

The Bok Blog - Samuel Totten

In this thought-provoking and eclectic volume, Charny engages in an innovative conversation with his readers. Drawing on his own well-known work, and that of several classic genocide studies scholars, he asks us to confront fundamental and difficult questions about ourselves. Could I be a bystander to genocide? Could I be a perpetrator?

Maureen S. Hiebert

The Genocide Contagion takes up the challenge of explaining why these crimes keep happening despite ‘Never again.’ What is their basis in human psychology, and how may they be predicted and averted? Israel Charny is well suited to undertake the task. He is one of the earliest and one of the most thoughtful and dedicated of Holocaust scholars, concerned with what happens before the killing begins and why people in large numbers can be led to participate in it…. The Genocide Contagion is a valuable, thought-provoking contribution to our examination of this sad history and of our potential roles in continuing or ending it.

PsycCRITIQUES