Reflections on War, Diplomacy, Human Rights and Liberalism: Blind Spots (1st edition)

For most, the idea that extremist ideologies glorify warfare and commit crimes against humanity (even genocide) while ignoring human rights is the natural extension of their moral failings. As this volume outlines, liberal-democracies such as Australia (and others), routinely glorify war, and they may also, at various times, engage in, support or ignore crimes against humanity (even genocide). There are fundamental differences with democracies such as Australia, the UK, and the US, among others, presenting themselves as arbiters of liberal values, defenders of universal human rights and guardians of virtue. This collection explores these contradictions and how liberal democracies can repeatedly ignore, downplay, and even justify their own failures.