Beyond State-Centrism: Revisiting Genocide Prevention Theorizing
Beyond State-Centrism: Revisiting Genocide Prevention Theorizing
Author(s): Muhammed Faruk ErdemSubject(s): Political Theory, Political history, Recent History (1900 till today), International relations/trade, Security and defense, Studies in violence and power, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Peace and Conflict Studies, Wars in Jugoslavia
Published by: Trakya Üniversitesi - İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi
Keywords: Genocide; international intervention; human rights; operational; structural; community-centered prevention;
Summary/Abstract: This article revisits genocide-prevention theorizing, concentrating on strategies aiming at stopping or deterring actions that appear to have genocidal intent. Adopting a process-oriented understanding of genocide, the study compares international prevention efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995) and Kosovo (1998-1999) - two conflicts marked by similar structural conditions but divergent outcomes. Using a qualitative comparative case study design, the analysis demonstrates that delayed, legally constrained responses shaped by narrow constructions of national interests enabled genocidal processes to consolidate in Bosnia, whereas earlier, risk-based intervention in Kosovo disrupted escalation before genocide occurred, albeit without addressing underlying structural drivers. The findings suggest that while early operational prevention can yield limited success, sustainable genocide prevention ultimately requires integrating structural and community-centered mechanisms that target the societal foundations of mass violence.
Journal: Elektronik Siyaset Bilimi Araştırmaları Dergisi
- Issue Year: 17/2026
- Issue No: 32
- Page Range: 27-52
- Page Count: 26
- Language: English
