Humanitarianism in Question: Politics, Power, Ethics

by Michael Barnett (Editor), Thomas G. Weiss (Editor)

Years of tremendous growth in response to complex emergencies have left a mark on the humanitarian sector. Various matters that once seemed settled are now subjects of intense debate. What is humanitarianism? Is it limited to the provision of relief to victims of conflict, or does it include broader objectives such as human rights, democracy promotion, development, and peacebuilding? For much of the last century, the principles of humanitarianism were guided by neutrality, impartiality, and independence. More recently, some humanitarian organizations have begun to relax these tenets. The recognition that humanitarian action can lead to negative consequences has forced humanitarian organizations to measure their effectiveness, to reflect on their ethical positions, and to consider not only the values that motivate their actions but also the consequences of those actions.

In the indispensable Humanitarianism in Question, Michael Barnett and Thomas G. Weiss bring together scholars from a variety of disciplines to address the humanitarian identity crisis, including humanitarianism's relationship to accountability, great powers, privatization and corporate philanthropy, warlords, and the ethical evaluations that inform life-and-death decision making during and after emergencies.

Genres: Nonfiction, International Development, Politics, College

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ted Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barnett and the other writers in this edited volume raise numerous ethical questions about the work of humanitarian organizations and other NGOs. As NGOs have maintained staying power, the natural response by many is to develop a grand strategy. Moving towards this level means addressing external causality which often means institutional reform and change. This has political implications as people and organizations are now being held responsible for causing problems that " necessitates" involvement. Intervention can often become the result. NGOs need to rethink their missions, and they especially need to consider the consequences of what they choose to do. Arguably those second, third, and fourth-order consequences need to be thought through and carefully discussed and debated.

[Nils · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid collection that critically analyzes the causes and consequences of contested humanitarianism. How did good intentions cease to be enough, morally? How does humanitarianism create sometimes perverse incentives for the actors in emergency zones (who may fight for access to the resources the humanitarians import, or withdraw from trying to help civilians, since they figure the international humanitarians will take care of that)? How do humanitarians decide where to intervene and which sorts of human suffering can be ignored? How do they decide when the "acute" phase is over, and it is time to move on (even though the suffering may be ongoing)? These are acutely practical questions, as well as moral ones.

[Mackenzie Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5