A reminder that regardless of governmental philosophy, both democratic and authoritarian governments alike will sometimes deliberately kill large numbers of civilians as a matter of military strategy. He examines the question : What leads governments to make such a choice? --

Originally published in 2008.

Defining and explaining civilian victimization -- Statistical tests : civilian victimization, mass killing, and civilian casualties in interstate wars -- The starvation blockades of World War I : Britain and Germany -- Strategic bombing in World War II : the firebombing of Japan and the blitz -- Guerrilla warfare, counterinsurgency, and civilian victimization : the second Anglo-Boer War -- Territorial annexation and civilian victimization : the founding of the state of Israel, 1947-49 -- Negative cases : why civilian victimization doesn't happen.