1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910816878003321

Autore

Kennedy David <1954->

Titolo

The dark sides of virtue : reassessing international humanitarianism / / David Kennedy ; illustrated by Doug Mayhew

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Princeton, NJ, : Princeton University Press, c2004

ISBN

1-283-13475-6

9786613134752

1-4008-4073-2

Edizione

[Course Book]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (399 p.)

Disciplina

361.2/6

361.26

Soggetti

Humanitarian assistance

Humanitarianism

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- PART I The International Humanitarian as Advocate and Activist -- ONE The International Human Rights Movement: Part of the Problem? -- TWO Spring Break: The Activist Individual -- THREE Autumn Weekend: The Activist Community -- PART I I The International Humanitarian as Policy Maker -- FOUR Humanitarian Policy Making: Pragmatism without Politics? -- FIVE The Rule of Law as a Strategy for Economic Development -- SIX Bringing Market Democracy to Eastern and Central Europe -- SEVEN The International Protection of Refugees -- EIGHT Humanitarianism and Force -- PART III What International Humanitarianism Should Become -- NINE Humanitarian Power -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

In this provocative and timely book, David Kennedy explores what can go awry when we put our humanitarian yearnings into action on a global scale--and what we can do in response. Rooted in Kennedy's own experience in numerous humanitarian efforts, the book examines campaigns for human rights, refugee protection, economic development, and for humanitarian limits to the conduct of war. It takes us from the jails of Uruguay to the corridors of the United Nations, from the founding of a non-governmental organization



dedicated to the liberation of East Timor to work aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Kennedy shares the satisfactions of international humanitarian engagement--but also the disappointments of a faith betrayed. With humanitarianism's new power comes knowledge that even the most well-intentioned projects can create as many problems as they solve. Kennedy develops a checklist of the unforeseen consequences, blind spots, and biases of humanitarian work--from focusing too much on rules and too little on results to the ambiguities of waging war in the name of human rights. He explores the mix of altruism, self-doubt, self-congratulation, and simple disorientation that accompany efforts to bring humanitarian commitments to foreign settings. Writing for all those who wish that "globalization" could be more humane, Kennedy urges us to think and work more pragmatically. A work of unusual verve, honesty, and insight, this insider's account urges us to embrace the freedom and the responsibility that come with a deeper awareness of the dark sides of humanitarian governance.