Henry Radice

Humanity in International Political Theory: Chris Brown and the Principles, Politics and Practice of Humanitarianism

This chapter argues that Chris Brown’s work can help us negotiate the key dilemmas of humanitarian action. It takes the classic humanitarian principles—neutrality, impartiality, independence and humanity—as entry points for international political theorists to engage with this fascinating practice. Brown’s suspicion of anti-politics casts doubt on the possibility of humanitarian neutrality and independence. His defence of selective humanitarianism helps to de-fetishise the idea of impartiality. His notion of practical judgement fits well with the real politics of humanitarianism, and his understanding of tragedy provides a space for humanitarians to consider the challenges they face in attempting to uphold humanity. Ultimately, Brown’s situated internationalism may be a better vector for humanitarian politics than some variants of cosmopolitanism.

Humanitarianism: a dictionary of concepts

Provides definitions, biographies and explanations detailing the key terminology, issues, people and events in the field of humanitarianism, a topic that is increasingly at the forefront of international relations. This Dictionary provides information which can be essential to those involved in humanitarianism. The field of humanitarianism is characterised by profound uncertainty, by a constant need to respond to the unpredictable, and by concepts and practices that often defy simple or straightforward explanation. Humanitarians often find themselves not just engaged in the pursuit of effective action, but also in a quest for meaning. That is the starting point for this book. Humanitarian action has in recent years confronted geopolitical challenges that have upended much of its conventional modus operandi and presented threats to its foundational assumptions and legal frameworks. The critical interrogation of the purpose, practice and future of humanitarian action has yielded a rich new field of enquiry, humanitarian studies, and many thoughtful books, articles and reports. So, the question arose as to the most useful way to provide a critical overview that might serve to bring some definitional clarity as well as analytical rigor to the waves of critique and shifting sands of humanitarian action. Humanitarianism: A Dictionary of Concepts provides an authoritative analysis that attempts to rethink, rather than merely problematize or define the issues at stake in contemporary humanitarian debates. It is an important moment to do so. Just about every tenet of humanitarianism is currently open to question as never before.