Holocaust Book Club

"What is Genocide?" by Martin Shaw

Instructor: Dr. DeWitt Clinton

In this intellectually and politically potent book, Martin Shaw proposes a way through the confusion surrounding the idea of genocide. He considers the origins and development of the concept and its relationships to other forms of political violence. Offering a radical critique of the existing literature on genocide, Shaw argues that what distinguishes genocide from more legitimate warfare is that the enemies targeted are groups and individuals of a civilian character. He vividly illustrates his argument from a wide range of historical episodes, and shows how the question ‘What is genocide?’ matters politically whenever populations are threatened by violence.

Co-sponsors:

Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center

Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC