The politics of naming

The similarities between Iraq and Darfur are remarkable. The estimate of the number of civilians killed over the past three years is roughly similar. The killers are mostly paramilitaries, closely linked to the official military, which is said to be their main source of arms. The victims too are by and large identified as members of groups, rather than targeted as individuals. But the violence in the two places is named differently. In Iraq, it is said to be a cycle of insurgency and counter-insurgency; in Darfur, it is called genocide. Why the difference? Who does the naming? Who is being named? What difference does it make?

Mahmud Mamdani writes about the similarities between the situations in Darfur, Sudan and Iraq. Frightening stuff, but something worth investigating. Actually, even more than that, it is a necessity. This is a brilliant piece of analysis which brings home the very fabricated notions of fairness and justice our (ie Western) international politics and law pretend to promote.

NEWS FLASH: Mamdani will be speaking at the London School of Economics this Thursday at 6:30pm. How exciting! Hmm perhaps I should take my photocopies of his articles for his autograph? Ahum... more seriously though, will let you know how it goes. But if you're in London why not come along?