"Governments, Citizens, and Genocide discusses the crime of genocide through a distinctly social science lens, with specific references to the ideas and concepts that have been developed to explain criminal behavior. It begins with a discussion of the problems in defining genocide and proceeds to examine genocide from macro, meso, and micro levels.

By connecting these three points of analysis, Alvarez provides a more complete understanding of genocide than have narrower studies focusing on only one aspect of this crime. Beginning with the macro level, Alvarez reviews the role of the state in perpetrating genocide, with the rationale that genocide is invariably created and carried out by governments and their agents. He then explores the organizational level, since genocide is perpetrated by individuals acting in their capacities as governmental administrators.

The third level of analysis examines the ways in which ordinary citizens come to participate."--BOOK JACKET.