Humane: How the United States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War

The rise of the American Empire has coincided with appeals for a more humane war, but efforts to make war more ethical have only shored up the military enterprise and made it sturdier. This shift became apparent in the post-9/11 era, with the US military embracing the agenda of humane war driven by precision weaponry and the need to protect its image. Even as the Obama and Trump presidencies spoke of American power and morality in different tones, they ushered in the second decade of the forever war. Humane argues that this development might not represent progress at all.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2022
Publisher: Verso Books

The ascent of the American Empire has coincided with calls for a more humane war, aiming to prohibit torture and minimize civilian casualties. However, these efforts have paradoxically reinforced the military-industrial complex, making it more robust. During this period, the campaign to abolish wars has shifted towards opposing war crimes, with significant consequences. The aftermath of 9/11 saw the US military embrace a humane war agenda driven by precision weaponry and the need to protect its image. The battlefield shifted from the streets to the courtroom, where the tactics of the war on terror were debated, but its fundamental assumptions remained unchallenged. These trends accelerated during the Obama and Trump presidencies, ushering in the second decade of the forever war.

"Humane" explores the profound transformation of armed conflict from a means of resolving disputes to an integral part of modern society. It argues that while American wars have become more humane, they have also become endless, raising questions about their true progress. The book challenges the notion that this development represents a positive step forward and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex dynamics at play.

The rise of the American Empire has coincided with appeals for a more humane war, aiming to prohibit torture and minimize civilian casualties. However, these efforts have paradoxically reinforced the military-industrial complex, making it more robust. During this period, the campaign to abolish wars has shifted towards opposing war crimes, with significant consequences. The aftermath of 9/11 saw the US military embrace a humane war agenda driven by precision weaponry and the need to protect its image. The battlefield shifted from the streets to the courtroom, where the tactics of the war on terror were debated, but its fundamental assumptions remained unchallenged. These trends accelerated during the Obama and Trump presidencies, ushering in the second decade of the forever war.

"Humane" explores the profound transformation of armed conflict from a means of resolving disputes to an integral part of modern society. It argues that while American wars have become more humane, they have also become endless, raising questions about their true progress. The book challenges the notion that this development represents a positive step forward and offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex dynamics at play.

The book delves into the historical context of the rise of the American Empire, highlighting the interplay between military power, economic interests, and political ideologies. It examines how the pursuit of empire has shaped American foreign policy and the use of military force as a tool for achieving national objectives. The author argues that the rise of the American Empire has been accompanied by a shift in the moral framework of warfare, with a growing emphasis on humanitarianism and the protection of civilian lives.

However, the author contends that these efforts to make war more ethical have paradoxically reinforced the military-industrial complex and contributed to the perpetuation of endless wars. The book explores how the campaign to abolish wars has transformed into opposing war crimes, with fateful consequences. It examines how the US military has embraced the agenda of humane war, driven by the availability of precision weaponry and the need to protect its image. The battle shifted from the streets to the courtroom, where the tactics of the war on terror were litigated, but its foundational assumptions went without serious challenge.

These trends only accelerated during the Obama and Trump presidencies, even as the two administrations spoke of American power and morality in radically different tones. The book argues that even as the two administrations spoke of American power and morality in radically different tones, they ushered in the second decade of the forever war.

The book also examines the ramifications of this shift in the post-9/11 era. By that time, the US military had embraced the agenda of humane war, driven both by the availability of precision weaponry and the need to protect its image. The battle shifted from the streets to the courtroom, where the tactics of the war on terror were litigated, but its foundational assumptions went without serious challenge.

These trends only accelerated during the Obama and Trump presidencies, even as the two administrations spoke of American power and morality in radically different tones. The book argues that even as the two administrations spoke of American power and morality in radically different tones, they ushered in the second decade of the forever war.

The book concludes by arguing that the rise of the American Empire has coincided with a shift in the moral framework of warfare, with a growing emphasis on humanitarianism and the protection of civilian lives. However, these efforts to make war more ethical have paradoxically reinforced the military-industrial complex and contributed to the perpetuation of endless wars. The book calls for a re-examination of the underlying assumptions of warfare and a commitment to pursuing peace through diplomacy and dialogue.

In conclusion, "Humane" is a provocative and thought-provoking book that explores the complex relationship between the rise of the American Empire, the pursuit of a more humane war, and the perpetuation of endless wars. The book challenges the notion that these efforts to make war more ethical represent a positive step forward and offers a critical analysis of the underlying assumptions of warfare. By examining the historical context, moral framework, and consequences of this shift, the book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the role of military force in modern society.

Weight: 475g
Dimension: 232 x 150 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839766190