The macabresque : human violation and hate in genocide, mass atrocity and enemy-making

Studies of genocide and mass atrocity most often focus on their causes and consequences, their aims and effects, and the number of people killed. But the question remains, if the main goal is death, then why is torture necessary? This book argues that genocide and mass atrocity are committed not as an end in themselves but as a means to pursue sustained and systemic torture — the spectacle of violence — against its victims. Extermination is not the only, or even the primary, goal of genocidal campaigns. Includes bibliographical references and index. xii, 462 pages ; 25 cm