Book Launch | The Past Can't Heal Us: The Dangers of Mandating Memory in the Name of Human Rights by Dr Lea David
16/7/2020
UCD School of Sociology Assistant Professor (opens in a new window)Lea David's new book, The past can't Heal Us: The Dangers of Mandating Memory in the Name of Human Rights, is launching today. The book is published by Cambridge University Press and can be found here:
- (opens in a new window)Cambridge
- (opens in a new window)Fnac
- (opens in a new window)Book Depository
- (opens in a new window)Barnes & Noble
- (opens in a new window)Amazon
From the Cambridge University Press (opens in a new window)website:
"In this innovative study, Lea David critically investigates the relationship between human rights and memory, suggesting that, instead of understanding human rights in a normative fashion, human rights should be treated as an ideology. Conceptualizing human rights as an ideology gives us useful theoretical and methodological tools to recognize the real impact human rights has on the ground. David traces the rise of the global phenomenon that is the human rights memorialization agenda, termed 'Moral Remembrance', and explores what happens once this agenda becomes implemented. Based on evidence from the Western Balkans and Israel/Palestine, she argues that the human rights memorialization agenda does not lead to a better appreciation of human rights but, contrary to what would be expected, it merely serves to strengthen national sentiments, divisions and animosities along ethnic lines, and leads to the new forms of societal inequalities that are closely connected to different forms of corruptions.
- Introduces a new theoretical approach to assess the impact the human rights memorialization agenda has had in conflict and post-conflict settings
- Highlights the intersection of historical events, discourses and practices that have enabled the rise of moral remembrance
- Offers thought-provoking insights into some of the dangers and pitfalls of the human rights memorialization agenda on the ground"
Reviews & endorsements
'Learning from history is an obvious step for post-conflict societies. Yet, enforcing remembrance through a standard trope of techniques and scripted commemorations also presents its own challenges. Lea David walks us through the process of how apparent reconciliation actually might exacerbate conflict and tensions. This is a wonderful book that should be read not just by governments and scholars, but by all those who seek to remember and remedy past wrongs.' (opens in a new window)Miguel Centeno, Princeton University
'The Past Can't Heal Us presents a path breaking analysis of the limits of the global standardization of memorialization. The novel comparative analysis discloses ever-expanding fissures in foundational paradigms in Human Rights discourse and practice while grounding fascinating re-conceptualizations of ideology and micro-solidarity. David's provocatively critical and courageous voice permeates every illuminating chapter. A must read for scholars, students and laypersons alike.' (opens in a new window)Carol Kidron, University of Haifa
'Human rights are often seen as a panacea capable of curbing political extremism and social inequalities. In this wonderful and highly original book, Lea David shows convincingly that enforcing human rights policies in a world dominated by the nation-state model of social organisation is likely to produce the opposite effect: prescribed moral remembrance regularly generates more group animosity. This is an excellent, thoughtful and brave contribution that combines superb analytical skills with the comprehensive and meticulous empirical research.' (opens in a new window)Siniša Malešević, University College Dublin
About the author
Assistant Professor (opens in a new window)Lea David is a UCD Ad Astra Fellow and holds the position of Internationalisation and Exchanges coordinator in the UCD School of Sociology. She is also the organiser of the UCD Sociology Seminar Series.