Description
Book SynopsisA timely analysis of why abuses and atrocities occur, why leaders behave as they do, and how a more accountable system might be developed
Trade Review"Mitchell provides an interesting typology of the various techniques that leaders use to deflect blame, and he writes with a certain acerbic flair" * Washington Post *
"I highly recommend this book. Its strongest feature is the clarity of the theoretical argument made about why high officials in mature democracies will engage in self-interested blame management that obscures accountability and devolves punishment on those at the lowest rungs of power" -- Hank Jenkins Smith,co-author of Critical Masses and Critical Choices
"Mitchell's incisive and compelling account of how atrocities are handled by 'working' democracies provides a promising foundation for how stronger and more efficient systems of accountability might be implemented." -- Kimberly A. Seida * International Journal of Comparative Sociology *
"Although accountability lies at the heart of the ideal of democracy, leaders rarely accept blame for human rights violations. The Bush administration famously dismissed the abuses at Abu Ghraib as a result of & a few bad apples, deflecting blame to the individual soldiers involved, and denying any responsibility for the actions. This insightful book is essential reading for all scholars interested in agency and incentives in the use of violence." -- Kristian Skrede Gleditsch,author of All International Politics Is Local
"Neil Mitchells provocative new book, Democracys Blameless Leaders, should be must reading for those concerned about the operation of democracy and the accountability of its leaders.In a series of probing case analyses of human right atrocities committed by those from the United States, Britain, and Israel over the decades, Mitchell deftly shows how leaders often escape accountability for such actions.To the extent that accountability occurs, the fall guy, an individual at a lower level of responsibility, not the leaders, takes the blame.His conclusions are equally revealingwhy democratic polities, whether parliamentary or presidential systems, often find it difficult hold their leaders more accountable for such actions." -- James M. McCormick,author of American Foreign Policy and Process
"Using interesting and readable case examples, Mitchell argues that democratic leaders are not held accountable by their citizens for the human rights atrocities they permit in times of conflict. If blame is assigned, it goes to low-level soldiers, police, and prison guards, and even their punishments are usually insufficient. To understand why this is so and what can be done about it, read this book." -- David Cingranelli,co-author of Human Rights and Structural Adjustment
"Highly recommended for lower-division undergraduates and above." * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface 1 Introduction 2 The Theory of the Fall Guy 3 Evading Accountability 4 Amritsar 5 Dresden 6 Londonderry 7 Beirut 8 Baghdad 9 Baghdad to Basra 10 A Tale of a Few Cities: Better Leaders, Better Institutions, or a Better Audience? Notes Bibliography Index About the Author
