HUM 2395 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Nuremberg Trials, Humanitarian Aid, International Criminal Court
Document Summary
Kaldor outlines in this chapter a cosmopolitan approach to intervening in new wars. This means, in the first place, recognizing these conflicts as new wars rather than old wars. The new wars are about state fragmentation, identity politics and autocratic rule by warlords, composed of militias and paramilitary formations. In addition, new wars are supported by external flows of resources, which include remittances, aid from friendly governments, and humanitarian aid. The remittances provide opportunities for more asset transfers. Humanitarian aid can be similarly taxed or looted. Surrounding governments want to control the outcomes of the new wars and aid flows support particular factions. All of these forms of external aid serve to recharge new wars which are otherwise fought in conditions of economic depression. It is important to remark also on the political foundations of new wars, which is identity politics.
