Explaining Darfur

[gildwulf]

How would you explain the existence of mass killings such as ethnocides and genocides? For example, what are some psychological and sociocultural explanations for the situation in Darfur (for those who need a refresher on the conflict, click here)?

I'll throw one out...one academic (Bauman) talks about how modernity can facilitate genocide (the Holocaust). He states that our concept of instrumental rationality, that we want to choose the most efficient and cost-effective outcome, allows for the presence of genocide. Basically, genocide is the byproduct of our modern drive to create the 'perfect' world. Particularly in bureaucracies, objects are dehumanized and turned into a problem to 'fix'. Bureaucracies are ethically blind with our idea of creating a better, different society so that outcomes like genocide seem "reasonable".

Thoughts?