Genocide in Bosnia - the Policy of Ethnic Cleansing by Norman Cigar - Book Report/Review Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : Genocide in Bosnia: The policy of Ethnic Cleansing by Norman Cigar Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx @2010 Genocide in Bosnia: The policy of Ethnic Cleansing by Norman Cigar The book under discussion is an epitome of the cruel mass killings in various parts of the world since time immemorial. It is a depiction of the trend of genocide cases that have ever occurred. The author outlines vividly in a crystal clear manner so as to avoid cases of repetition in that he points out the root cause of the issue at hand. Still he goes at length to come up with ways that will make the prey aware of the forth coming danger. This is seen whereby he points out that the prey should be in a position to read both subtle and open signs of a forth coming animosity. The political significance of the book is clearly illustrated by the writer whereby there is comprehensible demonstration of the political influence being the most domineering force of the hostility in the former Yugoslavia. Thus every leader has a key role to positively reinforce peace since they are the most influential persons in the society (Cigar, 1995). The title of the book is no doubt eye catching since it invokes one into getting thrilled to know what caused the massive killings in Bosnia. It has a condensed aspect of the grass root prompt that acted as spring board for genocide. The ethnic cleansing is more or less of a metaphor in that it portrays how communities have an intrinsic urge to completely displace others to a level of wiping them out of the face of the earth to have a mono ethnic society (Cigar, 1995). The topic is enclosed in inverted commas as an illustration that this kind of cleansing depicted in this society’s mindset is contrary to the human moral standards. Thus the topic is also ironical since the Yugoslavian “ethnic cleansing” only perpetuated murder and heightened venomous hatred. It is also ironical as seen in the book that he war involved three parties whereby the Serbs and Croatians rose against the Muslims. The Muslims in this case were the culprits. Ordinarily Muslims are seen to be the initiators of war and aggressive to defend their natives. However, the turn out is different and one sees them as the sufferers and even being too naïve to spell out danger from afar. Again one finds it a paradox whereby the international community is having weapon purchase restricted in this state so as to protect the Muslims. There is a universal belief that Muslims are the manufacturers of mass weapons and one is tempted to come into terms how these Muslims could have been that entire defenseless (Cigar, 1995). On the other hand the Muslims are willing to stay as a unified state with the rest o the Serbs despite the harsh living conditions like living in tents with scanty resources. One cannot avoid blaming the Muslims for allowing themselves to be the prey even after being persecuted by their oppressors and still clinging on them. This is a universal lesson that should be embraced in that it is pointless to stay in the midst of your oppressors just because of the fringe benefit that one is getting. This is because the cost is too high to bargain for which is worthless due to the negative impact it has that has far reaching effects like genealogical acrimony and rivalry. The Serbs are seen to clinch on to their former lifestyle even after gaining independence together with the Muslims. This included having their old national anthem and flag instead of a collective one that could symbolize unity. However despite all these obvious signs shown by their enemies the Muslims did not take any precautious measures (Norman, 2001). Still the Serbs behaved in an unpredictable manner in that there was well conducted and coordinated elections that did not suggested in any way of an underlying intense rivalry that only surfaced after the elections. This makes one view the Muslims as though they were duped (Cigar 1995). There is also an avoidable paradox whereby one finds out that the leaders who were brought into power through being voted in are the same ones that are assassinating the Muslims. This is a high level of inconsistency and treacherous treatment of leaders which infringed the very core of human moral values (Jones, 2001). Every reader should have a sheer interest in this book as it enlightens one of inhuman the historical happenings that can be kept at bay to avoid reoccurrence if corrective measures are heeded. This piece of writing is an eye opener since it also gives an insight on how to decode any unforeseeable impending danger. It also gives solution on how the injured party is to be helped out of the predicament by the larger society so as not to be doomed to sufferings. The writer pinpoints the role played by the government and any individual in political key position in determining the stake of its citizens. Thus, the author makes an awakening call for leaders to conduct themselves in a responsible way since they have a noble task of safeguarding their people by not propagating malice amongst people. On the other hand the writer emphasizes on just and fair treatment of both parties instead of equal treatment so as to achieve a harmonious co existence of human race. This is to help avoid a scenario whereby one group feels sidelined, exploited and exposed to arch opponent (Jones, 2001). One of the themes well stressed by the author is that justice should be exercised at all levels. There should be no room left for justification of actions done by the persecutors. All perpetrators should pay dearly for their actions. They should not be let go unpunished but should serve as an example to the rest of the citizens. This form of justice should be exercised to all persons despite of ones social class or political cadre. This would ensure that elected leaders are devoted to the citizens (Norman, 2001). This is clearly outlined by Norman Cigar whereby he blatantly points out that the Serbs and Croatians were using defense mechanisms to nullify their inhumane actions. They justified their action of having a polarized kind of leadership with representation disparity from the Muslim community. It is at this level where this mischievous plans and it implementation were carried through since they held the power and authority machinery (Jones, 2001). In the same breath, the negligence of the sufferers should not be overlooked. The Muslims acted in a much slacked manner in that they never gave a thought to any evident sign of forthcoming danger. Further more even after killing they still acted in a becoming manner in that they could compromise their lives for a comfortable way of living instead of going ahead for a partition of the state (Jones, 2001). There is portrayal of illusion imagery whereby there is enactment of having the state owned by the Serbs as one of the subtle national goals. This was done by the leaders through their speech, paper work by having guidelines that steered policy makers, implementers as well as common man into subconsciously assimilating heated hatred amongst their fellow citizens. As a result this acted as a consolation platform for their guilt. It helped them to be loyal to their country men by ensuring that they achieve their national objective of having exclusively Serb and Croatian state. This piece of writing enlightens individuals in life to always be on the proactive plane in life and be amply prepared for unforeseen misfortunes. One should not be stranded in life in the face of his or her enemies and should always have a mechanism to counter any negative propelling force against ones advancement in life. Still an imperative lesson one learns is that people should learn to take charge of their lives but not to leave it in the hands of oppressors and well wishers. People should never enter into the deception that other people care for them more than they do as portrayed by the Muslims (Jones, 2001). Another key subject matter of this book is the value for history. History provides a room to learn from other people mistakes in view of the fact that “experience is not necessarily the best teacher but a hard teacher”. History acts as a referral point incase of a predicament in future. This is because it provides a solid learning ground where one is acquainted with past shortcomings and tries to curtail them in future so as to avoid a replica of errors. At the same time it gives one a chance to maximize on the strength portrayed by others. All this is well illustrated whereby the writer goes into details of showing the gross mistakes made by the Serbs, Croatians as well as the Muslims so that each and every individual can learn from them. In addition, it provides an assessment ground to scrutinize root cause of genocide to avoid this later. It was found that the underlying cause was widespread discord in the communities under study which was brought forth by the political leaders (Cigar, 1995). As demonstrated, the social strata has both political and religious leaders who should work in one accord to ensure socio- economic as well as socio- cultural welfare of all the citizens. However this is not the case as per the case study at hand. There was division between different socio leaders as all tried to pursue their diverse interests at the altar of ordinary innocent citizens. One of the most outstanding and striking feature of the writer is his ability to be candid in a graceful and discreet manner. This is a skillful writer who is prudent enough not to hurt the feelings of individuals while conveying the truth that needs to be told or heard. Thus he is not a blunt writer but one with a wealth of expressive words. An example is when he uses vulnerability to express the cowering of the Muslims instead of a direct attack on them. At the same time he employs humour that makes his work exceptionary interesting. This is depicted right from his topic that is “Ethnic cleansing”. Though the scenario on the ground is a sad one, the information relayed captivates one into reading since the writer expresses every detail in an ease well coordinated manner (Sadkovich, 1998). The writer also uses suspense in his topics that compels one to dig out into knowing the root cause of the genocide. This is seen for instance whereby he talks of “the policy of ethnic cleansing”. As a result one is propelled into reading the book. At the same time there is consistency in his work that is soundly inter woven with suspense as seen whereby he introduces a topic like ‘ denial syndrome’ which he later elaborates in a systematic manner. Denial syndrome is all about the rationalization of the actions or negligence done by both the sufferers and the oppressors (Sadkovich, 1998). Moreover the author engages his readers into active or participatory reading in that he poses rhetorical questions like where did the responsibility lie?, how much control and by whom? while addressing the scenario (Cigar, 1995).This assisted one to have a creative and an alert mind while reading. In addition the writer also shows a gap that needs to be addressed thereby not leaving the situation bleak and hopeless. This is seen whereby he argues that the victims do not have to be victimized forever. He identifies a research gap, an exemplary marker for an academic researcher. Again, one sees the writer appreciate history and the writing done by his fellow writers. This is evidently seen where he quotes a number of writers and sociologists in his work like Leo Kuper. He also stresses on the importance of history in one of his sub topics. This is a landmark for a proficient writer that literature scholars should emulate (Jones, 2001). The author has used case study which is explicitly tackled. He has gone into miles to describe the scenario of genocide in Bosnia right from the grassroots to the implementation measures employed after the mayhem. Still each phase is tackled elaborately. While carrying the study, the author is focused on his piece of work and the subject under study (Sadkovich, 1998). Nevertheless, the writer portrays as though the situation for the Muslims is miserable as illustrated in the terms of reference sub topic. This somehow contradicts with the hope he has aroused on his readers. Still, he stresses on whatever that happened being irreversible. As though it might be, I belief one cannot keep on focusing on the past calamities. There comes a time that one appreciates the present and future since one cannot change the past but can determine the present and future state of (Cigar, 1995). In conclusion, the writer is an expert from whom a writer aspiring to climb up the ladder can borrow a leaf from. Bibliography Cigar, N., 1995, Genocide in Bosnia The policy of Ethnic Cleansing, A&M University Press College Station, Texas. Jones, A., 2001, Genocide war crimes and the West: Ending the culture of impunity, London, Sage. Norman, M., 2001, Fires of hatred, ethnic cleansing in 20th century, Cambridge, Harvard University Press. Sadkovich, J., 1998, The US Media and Yugoslavia, Westport, Praeger Publishers. Read More