Humanitarianism Contested

<p>This book provides a succinct but sophisticated understanding of humanitarianism and insight into the on-going dilemmas and tensions that have accompanied it since its origins in the early nineteenth century. Combining theoretical and historical exposition with a broad range of contemporary case studies the book:</p><ul> <p> </p> <li>provides a brief survey of the history of humanitarianism beginning with the anti-slavery movement in the early nineteenth century and continuing to today’s challenge of post-conflict reconstruction and saving failed states</li> <p> </p> <li>explains the evolution of humanitarianism. Not only has it evolved over the decades but since the end of the Cold War humanitarianism has exploded in scope scale and significance</li> <p> </p> <li>presents an overview of the contemporary humanitarian sector including briefly who the key actors are how they are funded and what they do with their money</li> <p> </p> <li>analyses the ethical dilemmas confronted by humanitarian organization not only in the abstract but also and most importantly in real situations and when lives are at stake </li> <p> </p> <li>examines how humanitarianism poses fundamental ethical questions regarding the kind of world we want to live in what kind of world is possible and how we might get there. </li> </ul><p>An accessible and engaging work by two of the leading scholars in the field <em>Humanitarianism Contested</em> is essential reading for all those concerned with the future of human rights and international relations. </p>