Cruelty or Humanity - by Stuart Rees (Paperback)

About the Book

Stuart Rees exposes politicians' fascination with cruelty in their deliberations about policies. He identifies non-destructive exercise of power, courageous public action and compelling humanitarian alternatives as the key to achieving a future in which dignity and equality flourish.

Book Synopsis

Cruelty has long been a feature of states' domestic and foreign policies but is seldom acknowledged. Governments mouth respect for human rights yet promote discrimination, violence and suppression of critics.

Documenting case studies from around the world, distinguished academic and human rights activist Stuart Rees exposes politicians' cruel motives and the resulting outcomes. Using his first-hand observations and insights from international poets, he argues for courageous action to support non-violence in every aspect of public and private life for the survival of people, animals and the planet.

Review Quotes

"Cruelties promoted by policies are often ignored. This book theorises the notion of cruelty in all its forms, from direct violence to a political economy of cruelty. I loved this book." Punam Yadav, University College London

"Stuart Rees's deeply humane and moral book documents and analyses historical state-sanctioned, global violence and cruelty, while quoting international poems offering compassionate voices of humanity. A compelling, disturbing, inspiring book." Robert S. White, author of Pacifism in English Literature

"Cruelty or Humanity is of a work motivated by deep compassion. Rees never loses sight of the human element of human rights violations, nor does he ever seem numbed to the pain he so carefully documents. The book stands as a testament to the humanity he urges us to embrace." Australian Outlook

"In his evocative and unflinching study, Stuart Rees shows us how 'national interest' rhetoric often enables outrages upon human dignity. He reminds us not to abandon the victims of state power or to play games with their fate." Clinton Fernandes, University of New South Wales

"Stuart Rees' "Cruelty or Humanity" should be read and re-read by everyone and be in every personal, local, school, university, state and national library." Countercurrents.org