World Peace (And How We Can Achieve It)
"Alex Bellamy...makes the best-sustained argument for word peace since Immanuel Kant's Perpetual Peace (1795)"
- Hugh Miall, Times Higher Education Supplement
"A thoughtful account..." - G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs
"However utopian the idea of world peace seems, the effort to achieve it must assuredly be one of humanity’s noblest endeavours. Alex Bellamy has done a great service in curating debate and suggestions to this end, and deserves our applause." - A. C. Grayling
"Mr. Bellamy's new book --like his life's work-- champions the essential and attainable seachange required of our world for a future where all humans are valued equally, where conflict is preventable, and peace is more than our shared goal, it is our default."
Lt-General Roméo Dallaire, former Canadian Senator and Force Commander, UN forces in Rwanda
"Heroically aspirational and wildly ambitious as Alex Bellamy's book may appear at first sight, it is full of measured and thoughtful analysis of the causes of both war and peace, and timely prescriptions for policymakers as to what they should - and can - do to minimize the risk of future catastrophic conflict." Gareth Evans, former Foreign Minister of Australia and President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group
A clear, pragmatic exploration of war and peace and what motivates or prevents them. A treasury of practical suggestions for strengthening the motivations for peace (political, cognitive and emotional) and for enabling the existing institutions, and in particular the UN, to work more effectively. A well-informed, readable invitation to everyone to play our part in building peace. – Rev. Dr. Liz Carmichael, St. John’s College, Oxford
In his quest for a better and safer world, Alex Bellamy, one of the leading authors on the prevention of mass atrocities, in this book turns to world peace (and how to achieve it). He bravely sails through the history of ideas and the actual history to identify what works best based on empirical evidence. It is equally intellectually exciting to follow his journey and to explore its outcome: short, clear and actionable Articles for world peace. This is a Herculean effort and a great book to read. It is both timely and challenging: confronted with the increase of conflicts during the last decade, we desperately need an improved approach to the world peace. But can the proposals set out here work? The real test will be a practical one: let us hope that not only academics, but also policy makers give this book a close look and test its Articles of peace in practice!"
Ivan Šimonović, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations, Former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect.
“The notion that peace is more than the absence of war has become axiomatic. But how do we build a world without war, atrocities and identity-based conflict? This insightful and incisive book by Alex Bellamy is a timely reminder that ‘human nature’ is a contested concept, that movements for peace and justice are as ancient and enduring as our more destructive martial impulses, and that a better and more peaceful world is possible. “
Simon Adams, Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
"Optimistic without being starry-eyed, Bellamy believes that peace is a possibility but not “imminent or likely,” particularly as international tensions have risen and reasons for war, including resource scarcity, have become more pronounced. Against this, he counsels that each of us can do a little something to promote peace, “building the minor utopias in our own times and places.”
...A sensible, occasionally overly utopian case for pursuing politics by means other than war."
Kirkus Reviews
“There is a lot to admire about Professor Bellamy, which is what makes his new book the proverbial ‘must read’ for anyone with even a passing interest in the theory and—more importantly—the possible practice of world peace....Bellamy has produced a brave and brilliant meditation on the most important issue facing the world. That’s worth at least an hour or two of anyone’s time, I would have thought.”
Mark Beeson in the ASPI “Strategist”
‘By eschewing utopian definitions, Bellamy sets the tone for a book that is quite down-to-earth... This book is very readable and stimulating, and it is highly recommended to everyone who wants to understand peace. It also shows that the big question of how world peace can be achieved needs more attention.’
Eric Melander, Journal of Peace Research
'...vitalizing and a must read for policy makers and those who are endeavoring for a peaceful world. It is a significant contribution in existing literature on War, Peace and Conflict Resolution. It also shows that the crucial question of how world peace can be established needs more time and seriousness.'
Gulshan Rafique, The Readers' Review
'...comprehensive, accessible, and at times even poetic. It is an inspiration for everyone concerned with the practices of war and peace'.
Benjamin Duerr, Global Policy Journal
R2P: From Promise to Practice
“This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to curb atrocity crimes. Getting beyond endless debates about theory, the authors draw innovative lessons from a decade of international and national practice in implementing ‘the Responsibility to Protect.’ This was one of my chief priorities as Secretary-General. I know that there is nothing easy about trying to protect populations and prevent atrocity crimes, but I also know from experience that it can and must be done. With vivid prose and the keen insight of practitioners, Professors Bellamy and Luck tell us how. Every official, advocate, humanitarian, analyst, scholar, and student should read this timely and masterly account. It points the way to a more secure and humane future.” -- Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, 2007‒2016
R2P is now a globally accepted norm, but universally effective atrocity prevention in practice remains a battle barely half-won. This is the guide to the task ahead the world has been waiting for. The richness and precision of Luck's and Bellamy's analysis should satisfy the most demanding academics, while the sharp practicality of their prescriptions - supported by a wealth of real-world lessons-learned examples - will be of enormous help to policymakers. This is not just one for the bookshelves: it demands to be read" -- Gareth Evans, Chancellor Australian National University, former President International Crisis Group, former Foreign Minister of Australia
"This excellent book will, I am sure, become the defining work in our area" - Simon Adams, Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
“The deceptively simple goal of R2P – preventing mass atrocity crimes – belies huge complexity…Luckily there is a great new book out by Alex Bellamy and Edward Luck which, ambitiously, addresses all of these challenges…it is essential reading for anyone interested in the implementation of R2P” – Jess Gifkins, University of Manchester.
"The book is essential reading for those who want to better understand the current state of R2P implementation
and the ongoing gaps and challenges. The breadth and depth of the book are impressive, drawing on the authors’ wealth of research and policy experience within think-tanks, the UN and academia more broadly...The book is refreshing and comprehensive, and provides a new take on one of the most pressing issues of our time. It is essential reading for those who want to move the R2P agenda forward." -- International Affairs
East Asia's Other Miracle
"This is a timely, significant, and fascinating book that shines an important light on East Asia whilst teasing out broader lessons that will undoubtedly shape future studies on mass atrocities. An outstanding study. The regional analysis challenges Western narratives and asks us to reconsider international approaches to mass atrocity crimes in the wake of a striking decline in mass violence in East Asia." -- Adrian Gallagher, E-International Relations
R2P: A Defense
"If R2P is a defendant on trial, it wants Alex J. Bellamy as its defence attorney. Bellamy is right that R2P is the only current anti-mass atrocity principle, and if one applies the 'veil of ignorance' he borrows from philosopher John Rawls, I too would rather live in a world where there is a possibility of collective action to protect people from mass atrocities." - Chloe Gilgan, University of York
Massacres & Morality
"Alex Bellamy provides a detailed compendium of massacres over the last 200 years... [T]his is a masterly, judicious and painstakingly researched survey of massacres over the last two centuries. It will provide an invaluable quarry for anyone interested in the ethics, legality or politics of war. The books central message on the reality but fragility of moral progress is an important one for which it deserves to be widely read." -David Fisher, Kings College London
"This book about the coexistence of mass atrocities with the norm of civilian immunity from the nineteenth century to our time, and their evolution and mutual influence, is his [Alex J. Bellamy] best work yet. Rarely has such a painful and sensitive subject been investigated so seriously, thoroughly, clearly and impartially." -Survival
Massacres and Morality is a work of immense scholarship...Alex Bellamy succeeds in weaving together histories and philosophies of civilian immunity across two centuries of war, terror, and destruction" - Tim Dunne
"Alex Bellamy, one of the most prolific writers on the subject of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and editor of the journal 'Global Responsibility to Protect' (GR2P) has now published on a subject located between international law and history. ...it examines a very large number of historical cases of massacres and mass killings that are probably not known in greater detail to a broader audience." -Austrian Review of International and European Law
R2P: The Global Effort to End Mass Atrocities
"A superb scholarly analysis of the concept. This is the resource for a detailed account of how R2P came to be, and an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. Bellamy begins by detailing the history of R2P, from its intellectual origins to its adoption by the UN in 2005. He does so in tremendous detail, drawing on a wealth of sources in providing the life-story of the concept likely to provide insight to even its keenest followers." -Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding
"Its clear and accessible style, as well as its meticulous discussion of the R2P's historical and political context, is well integrated into an analysis of the practical side of genocide prevention and peacekeeping." - Times Higher Education
"Lucid, thoughtful, and eminently sensible, Alex Bellamy's Responsibility to Protect: The Global Effort to End Mass Atrocities should be must reading for scholars, commentators, and practitioners alike. He chronicles both the evolution of the principle and the struggles to put it into practice with a rare combination of rigorous scholarship, sophisticated analysis, and engaging prose."- Edward C. Luck, Columbia University
Alex Bellamy, one of the most competent students and advocates of the responsibility to protect provides a very timely and useful account of the origins of this notion, of its evolution, and of its successes and failures" - Survival
Responsibility to Protect is an important and accessible treatment of one of the key recent political shifts in the contemporary international system, and as such should find a place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the manner in which international relations is prosecuted in the new millennium." - Political Studies Review
"A fast-paced and illuminating account of international policy formation. In the literature of humanitarian history, Bellamy's account of the development of R2P is thus a worthy stable mate to Geoffrey Best's classic account of the development of international humanitarian law after 1945." - International Affairs
"Alex Bellamy's is a thoughtful and critical tale of efforts to remove the license to kill from the sovereign attributes of states. A Responsibility to Protect also explains brilliantly the politics of why necessary normative advances have, to date, not ended mass atrocity crimes." - Thomas G. Weiss, City University of New York
"an inspiring and convincing work" - Damien Larramandy, University of Montreal
Understanding Peacekeeping
With Paul D. Williams
Will no doubt become as indispensable to the comprehension of contemporary peace operations as the first edition has become." International Peacekeeping
"The issues and discussions raised in this book are vital for anyone with a desire to understand peacekeeping operations. It offers a genuine insight into the ongoing theoretical discourse of preventing armed conflict and securing sustainable peace."
British Journal of Community Justice
"The first edition was a real gem, strong on the each of conceptual, theoretical, and case study dimensions. If anything, this new edition is even better. New chapters on gender and privatization, among others, ensure that the book remains cutting edge." - Paul F. Diehl, University of Illinois
"The second edition of Understanding Peacekeeping is a superior book and builds on the earlier pattern of solid analysis and insights as well as readability." - Thomas G. Weiss, City University of New York Graduate Center
"The United Nations Charter promised to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. It offered half a solution by outlawing war, but did not even mention the word "peacekeeping". This thorough and accessible book shows how peacekeeping has come to define modern efforts to resolve conflict, and the promise and the pitfalls that it offers." -
Simon Chesterman, New York University School of Law and the National University of Singapore
"This is an essential book both for practitioners and for students of international relations, security studies and peace studies with an interest in peace operations, that litmus test for the existence of a genuine post cold war international community. A thoroughly updated version of the authors' highly regarded first edition, the book offers comprehensive coverage, lucid critical analysis of both theory and practice, detailed case studies, and a clear and accessible prose style. The overall positive conclusion is heartening."- Oliver Ramsbotham, Emeritus University of Bradford
"A thorough, comprehensive and accessible account of contemporary peacekeeping which provides a clear guide to the theoretical and ethical issues involved, as well as a fine overview of the history, politics and objectives of multilateral intervention." - Norrie MacQueen, University of Dundee
Just Wars
"One could not wish for a more tightly developed set of empirical cases ... Bellamy produces a very thoughtful narrative, emphasizing the disparate elements that comprise the modern just war tradition." - Perspectives
"A model of careful and balanced discussion ... Bellamy strikes just the right balance between rigorous examination of general concepts and consideration of the concrete aspects of particular cases."
Henry Shue, University of Oxford, Survival
“A convincing analysis of the emergence of international law and the dominance of realism after the Second World War [and] an excellent application of this theoretical and historical narrative to contemporary issues.” Political Studies Review
"This is an engaging book that captures the breadth and depth of arguments over why and how we should kill one another." Nicholas Rengger, University of St. Andrews, International Affairs
"A book to admire and to argue with – in other words, the best sort of book."
Jean Bethke Elshtain, University of Chicago