Includes bibliographical references (p. 267-327) and index.

The problem : the recurring nightmare of mass atrocities -- The solution : from "the right to intervene" to "the responsibility to protect" -- The scope and limits of the responsibility to protect -- Before the crisis : the responsibility to prevent -- During the crisis : the responsibility to react -- Responding to crises : when is it right to fight? -- After the crisis : the responsibility to rebuild -- Institutional preparedness : the actors -- Building diplomatic, civilian, and military capability -- Mobilizing political will.

The problem : the recurring nightmare of mass atrocities -- The solution : from "the right to intervene" to "the responsibility to protect" -- The scope and limits of the responsibility to protect -- Before the crisis : the responsibility to prevent -- During the crisis : the responsibility to react -- Responding to crises : when is it right to fight? -- After the crisis : the responsibility to rebuild -- Institutional preparedness : the actors.

Introduction. A personal journey -- 1. The problem : the recurring nightmare of mass atrocities -- 2. The solution : from "the right to intervene" to "the responsibility to protect" -- 3. The scope and limits of the responsibility to protect -- 4. Before the crisis : the responsibility to prevent -- 5. During the crisis : the responsibility to react -- 6. Reacting to crises : when is it right to fight? -- 7. After the crisis : the responsibility to rebuild -- 8. Institutional preparedness : the actors -- 9. Building diplomatic, civilian, and military capability -- 10. Mobilizing political will -- App. A. Definitions of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes -- App. B. The mass atrocity toolboxes : prevention, reaction, and rebuilding -- App. C. Further reading -- App. D. Further action.

"Explains Responsibility to Protect (R2P), a new international norm to protect the peoples of the world. With real-world examples, current events analysis, and assessments from personal experience, shows how R2P is better equipped to end mass atrocity crimes than is "the right to intervene" or other "humanitarian intervention" doctrines"--Provided by publisher.

"The Responsibility to Protect captures a simple and powerful idea. The primary responsibility for protecting its own people from mass atrocity crimes lies with the state itself. State sovereignty implies responsibility, not a license to kill. But when a state is unwilling or unable to halt or avert such crimes, the wider international community then has a collective responsibility to take whatever action is necessary. R2P emphasizes preventive action above all. That includes assistance for states struggling to contain potential crises and for effective rebuilding after a crisis or conflict to tackle its underlying causes. R2P's primary tools are persuasion and support, not military or other coercion. But sometimes it is right to fight: faced with another Rwanda, the world cannot just stand by."--BOOK JACKET.