Review “Anyone who wants to understand the complex, ambiguous, and often neglected nature of international activism must read this informative and readable book. Through a series of fascinating case studies the book illustrates the upsides and downsides of international engagement with local campaigns in some of the most difficult places in the world.” (Mary Kaldor, London School of Economics and Political Science)“This timely and sobering volume asks the critical question: What is the price of success? In a series of compelling cases taken from the recent past, we see how Western activists are often co-opted, or forced to compromise on their founding goals, taking them further and further away from what might truly help those who are supposed to benefit from their activism.” (Michael Barnett, author of The Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism)“Alex de Waal and his students have assembled a fascinating group of thinkers and doers to dissect transnational advocacy in the twenty-first century.” (Robert Muggah, author of No Refuge and Relocation Failures in Sri Lanka)“Based on a series of insightful case studies, Advocacy in Conflict brilliantly explores the contradictory pressures on transnational advocacy. Essential reading for any thoughtful conflict advocate.” (Duncan Green, Senior Strategic Adviser, Oxfam GB, and author of From Poverty to Power)“These eye-opening studies tell us so much about the way the Western lens distorts the world's realities. George Clooney should read it from cover to cover.” (Peter Gill, author of Famine and Foreigners) Read more About the Author Alex de Waal is one of the foremost experts on Sudan and the Horn of Africa and executive director of the World Peace Foundation. Read more
P**C
A provocative, 'must read' on transnational advocacy
This volume is a collection of essays on transnational activism on a range of issues from democracy in Burma to indigenous rights in Guatemala, to the infamous Kony2012 video and advocacy "campaign" on the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. Alex de Waal is both the a strong advocate for international engagement and a strong critic of how it is conducted. He is one of the very few writers on international affairs who cannot be pegged as clearly right or left, as he challenges many of the darlings of progressive advocacy (Save Darfur), yet is deeply deeply committed to the power of indigenous social movements. This volume, which he edited and to which he contributed several papers, is certainly a thought provoking, sometime uncomfortable read for those of us who have been engaged in social justice advocacy. I did not "love it" according to the Amazon star system, but it is a definite 'must read' for anyone considering a career in international development.
D**K
De Waal writes the truth despite having all the qualifications for a comfortable civil service (or even lucrative UN) job
This is an exceptional book. Alex de Waal is the most highly regarded academic/HR investigative writer on Darfur and the Sudan,Decades of first-hand involvement in Sudanese and African Affairs have placed him head and shoulders above other Africa Watchers. .He was AU senior adviser and is now Executive Director of the Word Peace Foundation (Fletcher School /Tufts University-USA).The essays and papers are by like-minded academics and writers who are committed to Western democratic values ;but uphold them by "speaking truth to power".The essays expose the way" designer made"latter day advocates in the West corrupt Democracy and distort policies ,especially in Washington DC.The fact that Dr De Waal is tolerated and that his book is published in London speaks volumes about democratic freedoms in the West.Many academics kow tow to the establishment and are rewarded .De Waal writes the truth despite having all the qualifications for a comfortable civil service (or even lucrative UN) job.
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