Perpetrators: Encountering Humanity's Dark Side

Perpetrators of mass violence are complex individuals who often lead ordinary lives, despite their violent actions. This book explores the emotional impact of research with perpetrators and provides practical advice for researchers working in this field. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the epistemological, ethical, and emotional challenges of ethnographic fieldwork in the wake of atrocity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 17 January 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Perpetrators of mass violence are often seen as evil, with their violent nature believed to lead them to commit heinous crimes as members of state agencies, insurgencies, terrorist organizations, or racist and supremacist groups. However, upon closer examination, these perpetrators are contradictory human beings who often lead unsettlingly ordinary and uneventful lives. Drawing on decades of on-the-ground research with perpetrators of genocide, mass violence, and enforced disappearances in Cambodia and Argentina, Antonius Robben and Alex Hinton explore how researchers navigate the complexities of interviewing and writing about perpetrators, as well as processing their own emotions and considering how the personal and interpersonal impact of this type of research informs the texts that emerge.

This thought-provoking book is organized into interlinked ethnographic essays, methodological and theoretical reflections, and dialogues between the two authors. It offers practical wisdom for other researchers who face ruthless perpetrators and experience turbulent emotions when listening to perpetrators and their victims. Perpetrators rarely regard themselves as such, and fieldwork with perpetrators can be emotionally challenging. Research with perpetrators is a crucial component in understanding the causes of and developing solutions to mass violence, and Robben and Hinton use their expertise to provide insightful lessons on the epistemological, ethical, and emotional challenges of ethnographic fieldwork in the aftermath of atrocity.

In their research, Robben and Hinton have encountered a range of perpetrators, from low-level perpetrators in local conflicts to high-level officials in genocide. They have observed that these individuals often lead complex and multifaceted lives, with many having normal family relationships, hobbies, and interests. This contradiction between the public image of perpetrators and their private lives challenges traditional notions of evil and highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of these individuals.

One of the key challenges of researching with perpetrators is the emotional toll it takes on the researchers themselves. The authors describe how they often experienced intense emotions, such as anger, sadness, and guilt, as they listened to the accounts of perpetrators and their victims. They also discuss the ethical considerations that arise when working with individuals who have committed heinous crimes, such as balancing the need for truth and justice with the need for empathy and understanding.

Robben and Hinton argue that researchers must approach their work with a critical and reflexive mindset, recognizing the power dynamics and biases that may influence their interactions with perpetrators. They suggest that researchers should strive to be open and honest about their own emotions and experiences, as well as to consider the impact of their research on the broader community.

The authors also offer practical advice for researchers who are embarking on fieldwork with perpetrators. They recommend developing strong relationships with local communities and stakeholders, building trust and rapport with participants, and being aware of the potential risks and ethical dilemmas that may arise. They also emphasize the importance of debriefing and support for researchers after fieldwork, as well as the need for ongoing reflection and learning.

In conclusion, Perpetrators of Mass Violence is a thought-provoking and important book that offers valuable insights into the lives and experiences of those who commit heinous crimes. By exploring the complexities of researching with perpetrators, Robben and Hinton challenge traditional notions of evil and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of these individuals. The book provides practical wisdom for other researchers who face the challenges of working with ruthless perpetrators and offers valuable lessons on the epistemological, ethical, and emotional challenges of ethnographic fieldwork in the aftermath of atrocity.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 145 x 224 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503630673