Some good points, but it would be better to start this discussion with a clearer definition of genocide, e.g. see the BBC's 2022 article on 'How do you define genocide?' (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11108059). Doing this more carefully would make it difficult to argue that there has only been a single instance of genocide in modern human history. Where the threshold should exactly lie remains up for debate, of course, but both extreme ends of the spectrum of positions seem rather unpersuasive.
What a loss Iain MacWhirter is to Scottish newspaper readers. Shame on The Herald for disposing of his services.
Excellent article, Iain, and why I subscribe to your Substack.
Some good points, but it would be better to start this discussion with a clearer definition of genocide, e.g. see the BBC's 2022 article on 'How do you define genocide?' (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11108059). Doing this more carefully would make it difficult to argue that there has only been a single instance of genocide in modern human history. Where the threshold should exactly lie remains up for debate, of course, but both extreme ends of the spectrum of positions seem rather unpersuasive.