From Kosovo to Kabul: Human Rights and International Intervention

by David Chandler

'... human rights rationale for interventionism is a genuine menace to human rights and to democracy is convincingly demonstrated in this fine book.' Edward S. Herman

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2002

About the author

Professor of International Relations at the University of Westminster.

Reviews

[Rajvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely an insightful read. I learned a ton and some sections really made me go “hmm I never thought about it like that” which really expanded my own understanding and perception.

Definitely a little outdated in the sense that there has been more humanitarian crisis since the book has been published but the principals remain nonetheless. The book contained a great breakdown on what humanitarian, human rights, ethical foreign policy, international law, war and much more.

This was definitely a heavy book, with a lot of information and a lot of political background which sometimes went over my head because of my lack of knowledge on this topic. I wouldn’t say it’s beginner friendly or an easy read but definitely an insightful one!

[Ronnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succint and convincing examination of the logic of modern concepts of human rights and the assumed need to intervene and uphold them. Chandler makes a very good case that, despite human rights crusaders proposed goals of upholding social rights of persecuted minorities, it will invariably lead to the destabilizing of already weak governments, destroy the system of international law that allows weak countries to face stronger ones on equal grounds, give undue carte blanche to major powers able to exploit the logic of intervention at will, as well as undermine any actual attempts at self-rule or conflict dissolution taken by the native populace - all without even necessarily accusing the human rights interventionists of cynical deeper reasons, instead showing the flaws inherent in interventionist thought.

The comparison to older forms of imperialism are implicit in the image of the arrogant educated westerner who feels the need to disempower those he deems unfit to rule themselves.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a slog, but well worth it.