Genocide: The Act as Idea

Pennsylvania Studies in Human Rights

by Berel Lang

The term "genocide"—"group killing"—which first appeared in Raphael Lemkin's 1944 book, Axis Rule in Occupied Europe , had by 1948 established itself in international law through the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Since then the charge of genocide has been both widely applied but also contested. In The Act as Idea , Berel Lang examines and illuminates the concept of genocide, at once articulating difficulties in its definition and proposing solutions to them. In his analysis, Lang explores the relation of genocide to group identity, individual and corporate moral responsibility, the concept of individual and group intentions, and the concept of evil more generally.

The idea of genocide, Lang argues, represents a notable advance in the history of political and ethical thought which proposed alternatives to it, like "crimes against humanity," fail to take into account.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2016

Reviews

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book examining the way the term genocide is used both in legal and academic settings, as well as in pop culture. Lang argues for a respectful use of genocide as “genocide” so that it is set apart from other heinous, large scale crimes.

There’s a ton of philosophy that make it difficult to read and understand at times, but if you take it slow it is worth your time.