The universality of humanitarianism: A questioned concept?

Abstract

There is no doubt that the idea of humanitarianism is extremely complex. There are a number of reasons why this is the case. One is undoubtedly that there are a range of different interpreters who have offered their own understandings of humanitarianism as part of an ongoing discussion about its significance. A second, however, is that the idea of humanitarianism is built around a number of other complex ideas which are often not examined as closely as they should be, at least when humanitarianism is under discussion. Embedded within the idea of humanitarianism is the idea of humanity, and embedded within this is the idea of what it means to be human. Furthermore, even if there is consensus over the broad values of humanitarianism, there is still scope for lively debate over whether they can realistically be expanded to a global level, or whether humanitarianism should be practised predominantly within particular communities. My aim in the following remarks is to explore some of the difficulties that are involved in making use of these concepts. Show more