TY  - BOOK
AU  - Keen,David
TI  - Complex emergencies
SN  - 9780745640198
AV  - HV639 .K44 2008
U1  - 363.3498 22
PY  - 2008///
CY  - Cambridge, UK, Malden, MA
PB  - Polity
KW  - Civil war
KW  - Social aspects
KW  - Emergencies
KW  - 89.76 polemology
KW  - bcl
KW  - Disasters
KW  - fast
KW  - Civil wars
KW  - gtt
KW  - State of emergency
KW  - Inbördeskrig
KW  - sociala aspekter
KW  - sao
KW  - Katastrofberedskap
KW  - Hungersnöd
N1  - Includes bibliographical references (pages 222-279) and index; War -- 'Greed' : economic agendas -- Defining the enemy -- Famine -- Aid -- Information -- Peace
N2  - "David Keen questions the model of war as a contest between two sides aiming at political and military victory, and he also rejects the contrasting view that war represents a collapse into anarchy, mindless violence and ethnic hatred. Rather than a contest or a collapse, war is analysed as a system that has significant functions and that yields complex economic, political and psychological benefits. Some may be more interested in prolonging a war than in ending it. War may help elites to derail democracy and suppress dissent; it may be profitable for government and rebel actors; and it may allow armed groups to enjoy a sense of power over unarmed civilians." "This book argues that understanding the complex functions of wars - alongside other forms of human disaster such as famine and ethnic strife - is essential if we are to reduce suffering and move towards lasting peace agreements. Complex Emergencies will be essential reading for students of development, political economy, political science and international relations."--Jacket
ER  -