Death ex machina? : the use of technology and its impact on genocide and prevention

Abstract

The rapid pace of technology's evolution and uptake since the end of the Cold War, coupled with its role as a driver of many recent political changes, suggests that some uses of technology might contribute to genocide. Technological change and new developments in its use can redistribute power and impact the global environment, as well as reshaping the dynamics of local natural, political and social environments. Use of new media, including the internet, social media and mobile phones, promotes "citizen journalism", in which news and video footage is gathered and disseminated by amateurs. Citizen journalism is increasing during times of conflict and there exists a hotly contested "arms race" for control of these fora between genocidal governments, resistance groups and foreign governments and their citizens. By democratising control of communication, use of new media might shift the balance of power toward those who would resist, or prevent, genocide. An increasing and unsustainable use of technology has contributed to climate change. Climate change will likely enhance genocide risk through a number of causal pathways including resource scarcity, inequality and reduced economic growth. Implications for prevention are assessed with a focus on the doctrine of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). This thesis works toward filling a major policy gap in R2P, in which international responsibility to prevent and intervene in genocide remains diffuse, allowing for inaction. Rather than weakening the doctrine, linking genocide prevention with action to mitigate climate change would strengthen its standing as an international norm. The insight that technology use can influence genocide is applied to genocide prevention. Evidence suggests that aspects of technology use can be harnessed for prevention, and these are often most effectively used "upstream", well before genocide is imminent. Show more