The Effects of Diplomatic Engagement and Disengagement on the Severity of Ongoing Genocides or Politicides
Year: 2012
Type: preprint
Abstract: This study tests the effects of diplomatic engagement or disengagement on reducing the severity of ongoing instances of genocide or politicide. I argue that neither diplomatic measure will be effective in slowing or stopping the killing. I argue that diplomatic disengagement merely reduces the flow of information without credibly signaling intent or commitment, while diplomatic engagement does not challenge perpetrators. Neither policy raises the costs of perpetrating genocide or politicide, and therefore neither are expected to be useful in mitigating ongoing atrocities. Ordered logit analyses of ongoing genocides and politicides from 1976 to 2008 confirms these assumptions, and demonstrate that changing levels of diplomatic engagement with atrocity perpetrators may make policymakers feel like they are “doing something,” but does little to reduce the lethality of ongoing mass killing. Under one set of circumstances, increased engagement even exacerbates the atrocities.
Source: SSRN Electronic Journal
Author: Matthew Krain
Institution: College of Wooster
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2208395382