Overview
This book examines the methodological problems of accounting for the dead in armed conflicts as well as how the process itself is open to manipulation and controversy. Inspired by the work of the International Practitioner Network of casualty recording organizations, the book features thematic analysis, case studies and historical discussion on the use of the body count towards political, humanitarian and military ends. The book begins with a strategic analysis of the body count that introduces a general discussion on the measurement of war violence; its treatment by the media, humanitarian organizations, governments and the military; and its legal and political implications. It then examines the accounting for civilian war casualties in past and future conflicts, investigates the way the International Committee of the Red Cross has dealt with the issue of missing persons and the identification of dead bodies in armed conflicts and explores the role of statistics in aid policydebates, especially in regards to humanitarian workers. Next, the book details the field of casualty recording as practiced by civil society organizations, with insights from a study of 40 practitioners. It also features narrative case studies that detail the ways human losses were documented during recent conflicts in Northeastern India (2006-2009) and Croatia (1991-1995). In addition, one case study looks at the usefulness of casualty recording in engaging policymakers on the impacts of particular technologies of violence. This book offers an insightful investigation into violence, statistics and the politics of accounting for the dead. It will appeal to a broad audience of policy-makers, human rights activists, humanitarian practitioners as well as academics.
Full Product Details
Author: Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos ,
Elizabeth Minor ,
Samrat Sinha
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG
Imprint: Springer International Publishing AG
Edition: Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2016
Volume: 4
Weight: 0.454kg
ISBN: 9783319791746
ISBN 10: 3319791745
Pages: 143
Publication Date: 21 March 2019
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Manufactured on demand
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Reviews
The book is a vital contribution for anyone involved beyond the numbers in this particularly difficult kind of excess mortality. ... The book performs a notable service in documenting methodologies to measure and evaluate this special kind of excess mortality within the realm of population studies. ... This book cannot be ignored by those engaged directly in this work and by those dealing with its consequences. (Johanne Sanschagrin, Canadian Studies in Population, Vol. 44 (1-2), 2017)
“The book is a vital contribution for anyone involved beyond the numbers in this particularly difficult kind of excess mortality. … The book performs a notable service in documenting methodologies to measure and evaluate this special kind of excess mortality within the realm of population studies. … This book cannot be ignored by those engaged directly in this work and by those dealing with its consequences.” (Johanne Sanschagrin, Canadian Studies in Population, Vol. 44 (1-2), 2017)
