Social Torture
The Case of Northern Uganda, 1986-2006
1st Edition
Published on 1. April 2009
Book
Hardback
338 pages
978-1-84545-565-1 (ISBN)
Description
As Director of the Refugee Law Project at the University of Makerere, Kampala, Uganda, Dolan offers a behind-the-scenes, cross-disciplinary study of one of Africa's longest running and most intractable conflicts. This book shows how, alongside the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army, government decisions and actions on the ground, consolidated by humanitarian interventions and silences, played a central role in creating a massive yet only very belatedly recognized humanitarian crisis. Not only individuals, but society as a whole, came to exhibit symptoms typical of torture, and the perpetrator-victim dichotomy became blurred. It is such phenomena, and the complex of social, political, economic and cultural dynamics which underpin them, which the author describes as social torture. Building on political economy, social anthropology, discourse analysis, international relations and psychoanalytic approaches to violence, this book offers an important analytical instrument for all those seeking entry points through which to address entrenched conflicts, whether from a conflict resolution, post-conflict recovery or transitional justice perspective.
Reviews / Votes
"Dolan succeeds in putting the multiple problems of life in the camps, resp. the protected villages, in the context of the dynamics of regional and national conflict and violence. His exploration of different groups of actors illustrates the complexity of his topic, which is certainly not only of interest for Uganda experts but opens up new perspectives for a more general discussion of the longevity of violent conflicts and humanitarian aid in crisis areas" ? Peripherie"The depth, breadth and scholarliness of Dolan's account sets it apart from other work on northern Uganda... Dolan provides an important counter narrative and a unique factual record demonstrating that all actors in northern Uganda - not just the LRA - have blood on their hands. Beyond having written an excellent book, Dolan's real triumph will be if this counter narrative reaches beyond Social Torture's presumably academic audience. One can only hope that ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will read this book." ? H-Africa
"This book will engage, engross and enrage; it aims to drive analysis and policy makers to rethink their approaches to such conflicts." ? Choice
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Library binding
Illustrations
17 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
664 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84545-565-1 (9781845455651)
DOI
10.3167/9781845455651
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2009
1st Edition
Berghahn Books
€32.49
Available for download
E-Book
04/2009
1st Edition
Berghahn Books
€24.49
Available for download
Person
Chris Dolan has worked extensively with a range of organizations in Africa, Europe and South East Asia on issues related to conflict, forced migration, governance, gender & sexuality. He is Director of the Refugee Law Project at University of Makerere, Kampala, Uganda.
Content
Acknowledgements
List of Tables, Charts & Diagrams
List of Illustrations
List of Acronyms
Map Of 'Protected Villages' in which Fieldwork Was Conducted
Chapter 1. Introduction
The Mainstream Discourse of Today's Wars
Building Blocks of a Counter-Narrative
Impacts Actors
Benefits and Functions
Justifications
Elaborating a Model of Social Torture
Overview of the Book
Chapter 2. The Research Process
Institutional Setting
Working in a 'War Zone'
Conceptual Challenges
Horizontal Segmentation or Vertical Linkages?
Acknowledging Peoples' Agency
Ethical Considerations
Methods Adopted
Composition of the Research Team
In-Depth Key-Informant Interviews
Audio-Visual Data
Media Monitoring
Research Integrated with Programming - The Use of Focus Groups
Dealing with Findings
Discussion and Conclusions
Subjectivity and Objectivity
Chapter 3. An Overview of the Situation in Northern Uganda
Introduction
The Build-Up to War
Phase I (1986 to 1988)
Phase II (1988 to 1994)
Phase III (1994 to 1999)
Phase IV - Amnesty for 'Terrorists' (2000 to 2002)
Phase V - Operation Iron Fist and Its Aftermath (2002 to 2003)
Phase VI - November 2003 to June 2006
Phase VII - June 2006 Onwards
The War As People Remember It
Discussion
Some Concluding Questions
Chapter 4. Reconsidering the LRA-Government Dynamic
Introduction
The LRA's Ambiguities
Composition
The Extent of Civilian Support
Links with the Lord's Resistance Movement
The Role of the Media in Creating Ambiguity
The LRA's Modus Operandi
Administration and Control
Survival and Proxy Warfare
LRA Motivations and Politics
Politics of Rejection
The 1994 Peace Talks
Discussion
Further Nuances and Characterisations - Local Context
Refining the Characterisations - Comparative Experiences
An Appraisal of the Government's Initiatives
Conclusions
Chapter 5. Protection As Violation
Introduction
Part I - Formation and Organisation
Physical Layout and Shelter
Administration
Mchaka-Mchaka
Part II - Subsistence in the Camps
Access to Land
Reductions in Hunting
Other Alternatives to Agriculture
Group Formation
Food Aid
Problems with Distribution
Demonstration Sites
Calls To Allow People To Return Home
Block Farming
Part III - Access to Education
Universal Primary Education (UPE) Drop-Outs
Teacher Motivation
Secondary Schooling
Part IV - Access to Health Care
Part V - Access to Protection
When Was the LRA the UPDF?
People's Responses
Discussion and Conclusions
Chapter 6. Protection As Debilitation
Introduction
Physical Debilitation
Psychological Debilitation
Suicide
Heavy Drinking
Cultural Debilitation
Burial and Funeral Rites
Breakdown of Restorative Justice
Dance and Song
External Interventions, which 'Diluted' Culture
Changing Military-Civilian Relationships
Discussion
Signs of Resilience?
Conclusions
Chapter 7. Protection As Humiliation
Introduction
The Hegemonic Model of Masculinity
What Women Are (Supposed To Be) Like
What Youth Are (Supposed To Be) Like
What Men Are (Supposed To Be) Like
Masculine Roles
The Gap between Model and Reality: Inability To Fulfil External and Internalised Expectations
Acquisition of Knowledge
Marriage Provision
Physical Protection
Further Threats to Sense of Masculinity
'Gender' Discourse and Practice
Militarization
The Impact of the Emergence of a Hegemonic Model
Domestic Violence
Increased Male Vulnerability to Violence
State Benefits from the Hegemonic Model
Discussion
Conclusions
Chapter 8. Social Torture and the Continuation of War
Introduction
Impacts and Methods
Further Symptoms of Torture Actors
Humanitarian Missions and Mandate
Failures in Assistance and Protection
Benefits and Functions
Economics
Psychological
Political Justifications for Action and Inaction
Justifying Action
Justifying Inaction
Discussion
Low Intensity but Wide Impact
Geographically Extensive and Time-Indifferent Multiple Actors
Multiple Functions
Social Torture Acquires Its Own Momentum
Social Torture Is Justified in Public Discourses, which then Become Instruments of Social Torture
Conclusions
Chapter 9. Conclusions
Social Torture Offers a Counter-Narrative to the Mainstream Discourse
Greed-Grievance
Social Torture Goes beyond the Convention Against Torture
Social Torture Suggests the Need for More Comprehensive Interventions
Appendices
Bibliography
Index
List of Tables, Charts & Diagrams
List of Illustrations
List of Acronyms
Map Of 'Protected Villages' in which Fieldwork Was Conducted
Chapter 1. Introduction
The Mainstream Discourse of Today's Wars
Building Blocks of a Counter-Narrative
Impacts Actors
Benefits and Functions
Justifications
Elaborating a Model of Social Torture
Overview of the Book
Chapter 2. The Research Process
Institutional Setting
Working in a 'War Zone'
Conceptual Challenges
Horizontal Segmentation or Vertical Linkages?
Acknowledging Peoples' Agency
Ethical Considerations
Methods Adopted
Composition of the Research Team
In-Depth Key-Informant Interviews
Audio-Visual Data
Media Monitoring
Research Integrated with Programming - The Use of Focus Groups
Dealing with Findings
Discussion and Conclusions
Subjectivity and Objectivity
Chapter 3. An Overview of the Situation in Northern Uganda
Introduction
The Build-Up to War
Phase I (1986 to 1988)
Phase II (1988 to 1994)
Phase III (1994 to 1999)
Phase IV - Amnesty for 'Terrorists' (2000 to 2002)
Phase V - Operation Iron Fist and Its Aftermath (2002 to 2003)
Phase VI - November 2003 to June 2006
Phase VII - June 2006 Onwards
The War As People Remember It
Discussion
Some Concluding Questions
Chapter 4. Reconsidering the LRA-Government Dynamic
Introduction
The LRA's Ambiguities
Composition
The Extent of Civilian Support
Links with the Lord's Resistance Movement
The Role of the Media in Creating Ambiguity
The LRA's Modus Operandi
Administration and Control
Survival and Proxy Warfare
LRA Motivations and Politics
Politics of Rejection
The 1994 Peace Talks
Discussion
Further Nuances and Characterisations - Local Context
Refining the Characterisations - Comparative Experiences
An Appraisal of the Government's Initiatives
Conclusions
Chapter 5. Protection As Violation
Introduction
Part I - Formation and Organisation
Physical Layout and Shelter
Administration
Mchaka-Mchaka
Part II - Subsistence in the Camps
Access to Land
Reductions in Hunting
Other Alternatives to Agriculture
Group Formation
Food Aid
Problems with Distribution
Demonstration Sites
Calls To Allow People To Return Home
Block Farming
Part III - Access to Education
Universal Primary Education (UPE) Drop-Outs
Teacher Motivation
Secondary Schooling
Part IV - Access to Health Care
Part V - Access to Protection
When Was the LRA the UPDF?
People's Responses
Discussion and Conclusions
Chapter 6. Protection As Debilitation
Introduction
Physical Debilitation
Psychological Debilitation
Suicide
Heavy Drinking
Cultural Debilitation
Burial and Funeral Rites
Breakdown of Restorative Justice
Dance and Song
External Interventions, which 'Diluted' Culture
Changing Military-Civilian Relationships
Discussion
Signs of Resilience?
Conclusions
Chapter 7. Protection As Humiliation
Introduction
The Hegemonic Model of Masculinity
What Women Are (Supposed To Be) Like
What Youth Are (Supposed To Be) Like
What Men Are (Supposed To Be) Like
Masculine Roles
The Gap between Model and Reality: Inability To Fulfil External and Internalised Expectations
Acquisition of Knowledge
Marriage Provision
Physical Protection
Further Threats to Sense of Masculinity
'Gender' Discourse and Practice
Militarization
The Impact of the Emergence of a Hegemonic Model
Domestic Violence
Increased Male Vulnerability to Violence
State Benefits from the Hegemonic Model
Discussion
Conclusions
Chapter 8. Social Torture and the Continuation of War
Introduction
Impacts and Methods
Further Symptoms of Torture Actors
Humanitarian Missions and Mandate
Failures in Assistance and Protection
Benefits and Functions
Economics
Psychological
Political Justifications for Action and Inaction
Justifying Action
Justifying Inaction
Discussion
Low Intensity but Wide Impact
Geographically Extensive and Time-Indifferent Multiple Actors
Multiple Functions
Social Torture Acquires Its Own Momentum
Social Torture Is Justified in Public Discourses, which then Become Instruments of Social Torture
Conclusions
Chapter 9. Conclusions
Social Torture Offers a Counter-Narrative to the Mainstream Discourse
Greed-Grievance
Social Torture Goes beyond the Convention Against Torture
Social Torture Suggests the Need for More Comprehensive Interventions
Appendices
Bibliography
Index