""Uzonyi takes a fresh approach to a persistent question in the field: why/when do governments commit genocide and other atrocities? Focusing on the context of civil war, his book is a welcome contribution to the study of genocide and political violence." —Jeff Bachman, American University

What causes governments to commit mass atrocities—including genocide—during times of civil war? Gary Uzonyi tackles this discomforting question, focusing on uncertainty as a key factor in the escalation of political violence. Drawing on a wide range of case studies, Uzonyi's argument bridges the gap between rationalist and more traditional explanations. The result is an innovative approach that suggests a promising path toward preventing the occurrence of state-sponsored domestic barbarity.