Reluctant Interveners

America's Failed Responses to Genocide from Bosnia to Darfur

By Eyal Mayroz

SERIES: Genocide, Political Violence, Human Rights

Rutgers University Press

2020 Choice Outstanding Academic Title
Featured in the 2020 Association of University Presses Book, Jacket, and Journal Show

Why do we allow our governments to get away with “bystanding” to genocide? How can we, when alerted to the mass slaughter of innocents, still not take a stand? Reluctant Interveners provides the most comprehensive answers yet to these confronting questions, focusing on the complex relationships between the citizenry, the media, the political elites, and institutions in the most powerful nation in the world, the United States of America.

Eyal Mayroz offers a sobering account of the interactions between the governing and the governed, and the dynamics which transformed moral concerns for the lives of faraway “others” into cold political calculations. Exposed are the processes that turned the promise of “never again” to a recurring reality of ever again, the role of the office of the presidency in their advancement, and the resultant image of America as seen by the rest of the world. In a time of ubiquitous social media and populist revival, a greater role for the U.S. citizenry in decision-making on responses to genocide may be in the cards. The question is, in which directions will these trends take American foreign policy?

This serious, balanced, and compelling account of American ambivalence is sober but important reading. It could not be more timely. Edward C. Luck, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

Genocide will not happen again if societies and governments respond properly. Sober and strong, this book focuses on the USA and its citizens and is an invitation to all to do what is possible and right. Andrea Bartoli, Dean, School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University

A powerful and well-researched reality check thoughtfully reminding us of the enormous amount of research on domestic politics and foreign policy that remains to be done before genocide prevention can become a functioning international norm. Frank Chalk, Professor of History and Research Director, MIGS, Concordia University

Mayroz’s book helps all of us, governmental or not, American or not, to look inward to see whether we are doing the right thing, and enough of it. World Nutrition

[S]tudents and scholars interested in human rights would be well advised to seek out this book. Highly recommended. Choice

[A] significant contribution to the study of the United States’ relationship with genocide…methodical and comprehensive…tightly filled with significant research and findings…contributes to bridging the gap between academic scholarship and policy. [E]ssential reading for scholars, students, activists, civil society actors, elected officials, and members of nongovernmental and intergovernmental institutions. Genocide Studies & Prevention

Interview with the book Author: Eyal Mayroz, ‘Reluctant Interveners: America’s Failed Responses to Genocide from Bosnia to Darfur,’ at: https://podcasts.apple.com/gh/podcast/eyal-mayroz-reluctant-interveners-americas-failed-responses/id426479249?i=1000456774261 New Books in World Affairs podcast

Radio Adelaide interview with Eyal Mayroz Radio Adelaide

2SER Radio interview with Eyal Mayroz 2SER Radio

Outstanding Academic Titles 2020: International Relations: Five International Relations titles selected from the Choice Reviews 2020 Outstanding Academic Titles list Choice

EYAL MAYROZ is a senior lecturer in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney in Australia. He has researched and written extensively on the relationships between the U.S. public, the media, and American foreign policy on genocide. He is a member of the Genocide Prevention Advisory Network, an international group of experts who advise governments on the causes, consequences, and prevention of genocide, and other mass atrocities.

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Domestic responses to genocide: public opinion versus public behaviour
America and the first genocide of the twenty-first century
Determining factors in the making of the US Darfur policy conclusions

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