The shadow of genocide has hovered over the world for centuries. Genocides date back to the time of Caesar and before. Genocides have left a group of people extinct or nearly exhausted. This conflict has long and short term consequences for many civilizations facing genocide. No one is safe from genocide; it can happen to any ethnicity. Society must prevent genocide to end ethnic extermination; however, no action is in effect. The only law that attempts to stop genocide is that of the United Nations: “The United Nations Convention defines genocide as follows: “Genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part party, a national, ethnic, racial or religious identity. group, as such: a) kill members of the group; b) cause serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) deliberately subjecting the group to conditions of existence calculated to bring about total or partial physical destruction;…'" (Totten) David Rieff states that "the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, originally known under the name of Resolution 260A (III) of the General Assembly of the United Nations, was adopted on December 9, 1948” (65). In 1948, 120 countries ratified this law (Rieff 65). Although this international law was a high point in efforts to end genocide, the law has proven ineffective as genocides still occur today. According to Daniel Chriot and Jennifer Edwards “four fundamental types of genocide based on the logic and objectives of the perpetrators”: exist. The reasons for genocide fall into these four types: convenience, revenge, fear or purification. Convenience is a goal because some civilizations believe it is easier to kill a population rather than...... middle of paper ......exts. Spring 2003: 12-19. SIRS researcher. Internet. May 18, 2011. Hirsh, Herbert. “How people are convinced to commit genocide.” Genocide. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. 73-78. Print.Melicharova, Margaret. Peace Pledge Union Information: Genocide. Union of Peace Promises. 2002. Internet. May 14, 2011. Morrock, Richard. “The Genocidal Impulse: Why Nations Kill Other Nations.” » Genocide. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. 79-85. Print.Power, Samantha. “Increase the cost of genocide.” Dissent Vol. 49. No. 2. March 2002: 85. SIRS Researcher. Internet. May 18, 2011. Rieff, David. “Defining genocide”. Genocide. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. 65-72. Print. Totten, Samuel. “The scourge of genocide: the problems facing humanity today and tomorrow.” Social Education Vol. 62. No. 2. March 1999: 116-121. SIRS researcher. Internet. May 18 2011