Alexander Downes, an assistant professor of international relations, has just been awarded the Georgetown University Lepgold Book Prize. The prize honors exceptional contributions to the study of international relations. Downes was recognized for his first book, Targeting Civilians in War (Cornell University Press), published in 2008.
The Lepgold Book Prize awards $1,000 to the author of the best book in international relations each year. Georgetown also invites the author to give a lecture. The prize is named for Joseph S. Lepgold, a Georgetown University Government and School of Foreign Service professor who died in a tragic hotel fire in Paris in December 2001.
Downes' research focuses on the causes and effectiveness of civilian victimization in warfare, and the consequences of foreign-imposed regime change in international politics. In his book, Downes examines several historical cases to "remind readers that democratic and authoritarian governments alike will sometimes deliberately kill large numbers of civilians as a matter of military strategy."