Demonization in International Politics

"The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most bitter, protracted, and intractable conflicts of modern times. By focusing on the psychological dimension of this conflict, Linn Normand has made a highly original and important contribution. Her study illuminates the various ways in which demonization of the opponent leads to diplomatic deadlock. It deserves the widest readership." (Avi Shlaim, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford, UK; author of The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World) "A fascinating book that investigates the phenomenon of demonization in international politics and its application to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Linn Normand has written a conceptually rigorous book with important implications to 'waging war' and 'waging peace.' By deconstructing the polarizing notion of 'us' as good and 'them' as evil, this book lifts the veil on a major impediment to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking." (Fawaz A. Gerges, Emirates Chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK; editor of Contentious Politics in the Middle East: Popular Resistance and Marginalized Activism beyond the Arab Uprisings and author of ISIS: A History) "Why is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so intractable? This important book demonstrates that mutual demonization is a critical barrier blocking progress toward peace not only in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute but more generally. Using vivid historical examples, Linn Normand deepens our understanding of the tendency for disputants to view each other as evil-not just guilty of bad acts but bad to the core. This book must be read by anyone with a serious interest in international dispute resolution." (Robert Mnookin, Samuel Williston Professor of Law and Chair of the Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School, USA; author of Bargaining with the Devil: When to Negotiate, When to Fight)

This book investigates demonization in international politics, particularly in the Middle East. Specific attention is given to Israel and Palestine as the author argues that war-time demonization in policy, media, and art is a psychological and relational barrier during peace talks.This book investigates demonization in international politics, particularly in the Middle East. It argues that while demonization’s origins are religious, its continued presence is fundamentally political. Drawing upon examples from historical and modern conflicts, this work addresses two key questions: Why do leaders demonize enemies when waging war? And what are the lasting impacts on peacemaking? In providing answers to these inquiries, the author applies historical insight to twenty-first century conflict. Specific attention is given to Israel and Palestine as the author argues that war-time demonization in policy, media, and art is a psychological and relational barrier during peace talks.