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When faced with injustice what can a concerned citizen do? In 1933, when Hitler tried to blame Communists for setting the German parliament on fire, a group of European and American lawyers responded by staging a countertrial, which proved them innocent and eventually led to their release. A new unofficial way of advancing human rights was thus launched. This groundbreaking study narrates the history of such 'citizens tribunals' from this first astonishing success to the mixed record of subsequent efforts-including tribunals on the Moscow show trials, the American war in Vietnam, Japanese sexual slavery, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and the excesses of 'global capitalism'.
List of contents
Acknowledgements Abbreviations of Citations Citizens' Power PART I: THE REICHSTAG FIRE CASE The Berlin Cauldron Rallying to the Defense Showdown in Leipzig Aftermath PART II: THE MOSCOW SHOW TRIALS CASE Deep Freeze Taking up the Cause South of the Border Deliberations and Recriminations PART III: THE VIETNAM WAR CRIMES CASE The Activist Philosopher Plan of Action Behind the Scenes at Stockholm The Swedish Context Second Wind CONTINUUM Proliferation Agenda for Reform Index
About the author
ARTHUR JAY KLINGHOFFER is a Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University, Camden. He specializes in Russian, African and Middle East politics, political economy, and intelligence. He is the author of eleven books on international politics and recipient of two Fulbright grants and a Nobel fellowship. He has served as an adviser to U.S. governmental agencies, lecturer and frequent media commentator on current issues in the news.
JUDITH A. KLINGHOFFER is Senior Research Associate in international Relations at Rutgers University as well as President of Global Perspectives Cross-Cultural Consultants. Her undergraduate degree in history and philosophy is from Hebrew University, and her Ph.D. in history from Rutgers University. She was a visiting lecturer at the Foreign Affairs College in Beijing and a Fulbright Senior Fellow at Aamus University in Denmark. Her latest work is Vietnam, Jews, and the Middle East: Unintended Consequences (Macmillan and St. Martin's 1999).
Summary
When faced with injustice what can a concerned citizen do? In 1933, when Hitler tried to blame Communists for setting the German parliament on fire, a group of European and American lawyers responded by staging a countertrial, which proved them innocent and eventually led to their release. A new unofficial way of advancing human rights was thus launched. This groundbreaking study narrates the history of such 'citizens tribunals' from this first astonishing success to the mixed record of subsequent efforts-including tribunals on the Moscow show trials, the American war in Vietnam, Japanese sexual slavery, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and the excesses of 'global capitalism'.
Additional text
'This is a fascinating book of contemporary accounts...grounded in impressive historical research, using a large amount of primary and secondary sources with a wide geographical spread.' - Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy
'Accessible writing, meticulous research, and a provocative viewpoint thoughtfully presented make this a highly recommended volume...' - Choice
'...this book is extremely valuable.' - Caron Gentry, International Affiars
Report
'This is a fascinating book of contemporary accounts...grounded in impressive historical research, using a large amount of primary and secondary sources with a wide geographical spread.' - Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy
'Accessible writing, meticulous research, and a provocative viewpoint thoughtfully presented make this a highly recommended volume...' - Choice
'...this book is extremely valuable.' - Caron Gentry, International Affiars
