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To Help or Not to Help - Humanitarianism in the 20th Century

To Help or Not to Help - Humanitarianism in the 20th Century

1st Edition 2024th edition

Paperback (18 Nov 2024)

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Publisher's Synopsis

Today, humanitarianism, as a moral imperative to help, is prevalent, especially in the so-called Western world. The public reacts to natural disasters, war, or medical emergencies with a desire to alleviate suffering. But in recent decades historians have begun to critically assess this moral perspective and examine humanitarian organizations, politics, and the motives of humanitarian actors. They highlight how helping people relieve their suffering is just one side to every humanitarian story. Humanitarian actors themselves have their own reasons for helping. Humanitarian aid evolves in a tense dialectic between people in need and the individual agendas of the 'benevolent saviors.' This special issue approaches humanitarianism and humanitarian aid from the perspective of such 'benevolent saviors' and their agendas and covers different moments in history and geographical regions in the 20th century. The papers analyze humanitarianism as a reconstruction mission according to civilizing desires, as an enabling factor for individual professionalization, as a power struggle, and as a tool for domestic and international policymaking.

About the Publisher

Brill

Founded in 1683, Brill is a publishing house with a rich history and a strong international focus. The company's head office is in Leiden, (The Netherlands) with a branch office in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). Brill's publications focus on the Humanities and Social Sciences, International Law and selected areas in the Sciences.

Book information

ISBN: 9783847117414
Publisher: V&R unipress
Imprint: Brill
Pub date:
Edition: 1st Edition 2024th edition
Language: English
Number of pages: 118
Weight: 2472g
Height: 232mm
Width: 155mm
Spine width: 6mm