The Ultimate Weapon is No Weapon
Beebe, Shannon and Mary Kaldor (2010) The Ultimate Weapon is No Weapon. New York: PublicAffairs.
This title presents a unique combination of British academic and pacifist and American Lt Colonel with background in political science who develop a shared concept of the nature of violence in the 21st century, and a programme for how to make populations threatened by military, economic, and social upheaval feel secure. The twenty-first century has seen millions unemployed. It has seen livelihoods undermined by environmental degradation. Middle-class cities in Europe, Asia, and Africa have become cauldrons of violence and resentment. Tribalism, ethnic nationalism, and religious fundamentalism have flared dangerously, from Russia to Spain. The use of force is unlikely to help. What works when counter-insurgency has run its course: in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond? In this book, two authors brought together from distant points on the political spectrum by their concerns about the repercussions of violent political conflict on human lives, explain and explore a new idea for stabilising the dangerous neighborhoods of the world. They challenge head-on Condoleezza Rice’s declaration that ‘it is not the job of the 82nd Airborne Division to escort kids to kindergarten’ contending that, in fact, it should be. When marginalized populationsare trapped in poverty and lawlessness and denied political power and justice brutality, and fascism thrive. Human security is a new concept for clarifying what peace requires and the policies and priorities by which to achieve it.
Watch the video of the book launch on 26 May 2010 in Old Theatre at LSE – Speakers: Lieutenant Colonel Shannon D. Beebe, Professor Mary Kaldor, Clare Short, Rory Stewart MP; Chair: Professor David Held
We apologise for the poor audio quality of this video. An mp3 audio podcast of this lecture is available here: mp3 of ‘The Ultimate Weapon is No Weapon’-launch
For more information please visit the amazon.co.uk website: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Weapon