HIROSHIMA, THE HOLOCAUST, AND THE POLITICS OF EXCLUSION - 1994 PRESIDENTIAL-ADDRESS

In most societies, there is an ongoing contest over who is the ''we,'' To whom specific moral obligations apply, and who is the ''they,'' to whom they do not. This paper explores and contrasts the most blatant forms of active exclusion, which includes genocide, and indirect exclu sion, which is characterized by subtle forms of exclusion through soci al invisibility. In genocide, the targeted groups are not simply exclu ded from life integrity rights, but offenses against them are explicit ly encouraged, rewarded, and sanctioned by the regime. In indirect exc lusion, the exclusion is implicit in cultural and institutional practi ces and is often unintentional. I examine the difficulties and dilemma s involved in resisting and preventing active exclusion and in challen ging the cultural codes that maintain indirect exclusion.