Elite Rivalry, Mass Killing and Genocide in Authoritarian Regimes

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'Intra-regime elite conflict and genocide tend to co-occur. Why? Leveraging a nested research design that combines large-N analysis of elite rivalry, purges, and different types of mass killing with case studies of Rwanda, Cambodia, and Cote d'Ivoire, Eelco van der Maat illuminates the internal logic of mass indiscriminate violence-that rulers wield this devastating policy as much to restructure elite coalitions and secure power within their regimes as to eliminate threats from without. An insightful contribution that reveals how strategies of regime consolidation drive dictators towards the ruthless mobilization of genocidal violence.'

Philip Roessler, Professor of Government, William & Mary, USA

'Elite rivalries in authoritarian regimes sometimes result in mass killings, a process Eelco van der Maat describes as "genocidal consolidation." An original and well researched argument, it will be required reading for students of civil wars, genocide, and political violence more generally.'

Stathis N. Kalyvas, Gladstone Professor of Government, University of Oxford, UK

'As genocide and mass violence rage far and wide in today's world, we are urgently seeking answers to the question why? Eelco van der Maat's innovative book provides an answer-elite coalition-building and rivalry-and makes an important contribution to the literature.'

Alex Hinton, Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Rutgers University, USA

'Van der Maat first explains his theory in detail to explore why autocrats kill. He proceeds to use cases of genocide from Rwanda and Cambodia to apply his theory. Interestingly, he also provides a negative case study in the Ivory Coast, where genocide did not occur even when some elements of elite rivalry were present. Overall, van der Maat provides a new and intriguing theory on mass killing and genocide that should be explored more. Those interested in the causes of genocide will find this a useful tool. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.'

W. R. Pruitt, Austin Peay State University, Choice December 2024