This paper explores the relationship between utopian ideologies and genocide 
prevention. Many of the worst genocidal and human rights excesses of the last 
century were perpetrated under the guise of creating a more perfect society 
and world. These utopian ideologies were marked by totalizing ways of thinking 
that involved applying ideal world beliefs onto imperfect political, social, 
and cultural social systems. In many ways the movement to prevent genocide can 
also be seen as making certain assumptions about the perfectibility of human 
political and social institutions and I intend to explore some of the 
potential pitfalls inherent in making these kinds of assessments. In the 
interests of creating a genocide free world, do we run the risk of fostering 
attitudes and policies that are ultimately harmful to groups and societies 
that don䴜t fit into the projected mold? Does the movement to prevent genocide 
run the risk of becoming a force that subscribes to end justifying the means 
type of arguments? Can genocide be prevented without implementing a kind of 
new interventionist imperialism?