Evolution, ideas and the possibility of change of the humanitarian sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21153/thl2024art2035Keywords:
humanitarian system, socio-phenomenological, changeAbstract
This article reflects on the research project 'Thinking about the evolution of the humanitarian sector: an exploration within the world of ideas', conducted by Raphael Gorgeu, Senior Research Associate at HERE-Geneva. The project explores the dynamics of change specific to the humanitarian sector through a socio-phenomenological approach, acknowledging the centrality of ideas in order to grasp how social reality changes. Based on a literature review of 8,000 documents from the international humanitarian system, it describes the historical evolution in the way humanitarian aid has been thought of over the period between 1991 and 2021, and reveals the presence of autonomous forces and mechanisms shaping the idea of humanitarian action over time. By introducing the approach developed for this work and discussing some of its conclusions, this article aims to be as useful for researchers as it is for humanitarian aid professionals and leaders, providing an original way to think through the logics of change specific to this sector.
Metrics
Downloads
References
Main source for the literature review specific to this research:
IASC products: IASC website. See https://interagencystandingcommittee.org
Humanitarian Response Plans and Consolidated Appeals Process. See: www.reliefweb.org
Abric, J. C. (1994). Pratiques sociales et représentations. PUF.
ALNAP. (2010, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022). State of the Humanitarian System.
Al-Yahya, K., & Fustier, N. (2011, March). Saudi Arabia as a Humanitarian Donor: High Potential, Little Institutionalization. GPPI.
Badie, B. (2008). Le diplomate et l’intrus. Fayard.
Barnett, M. (2011). Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism. Cornell University Press.
Battistellla, D. (2009). Théories des Relations Internationales. SciencesPo Les Presses.
Bennett, C. (2016). Global History of Modern Humanitarian Action. ODI/HPG.
Bennett, C. (2017, January). Planning from the future: is the humanitarian system fit for purpose? ODI/HPG.
Berger, P. L., & Luckmann, T. (1996). La Construction sociale de la réalité. Armand Colin.
Berthelot, J. M. (2012). Épistémologie des Sciences Sociales. PUF.
Binder, A., Meier, C., & Steets, J. (2010, August). Humanitarian Assistance: Truly Universal? GPPI.
Borton, J., & Foley, M. (2013, June). A history of the humanitarian system: Western origins and foundations. ODI/HPG.
Cohen, S. (2003). La résistance des Etats. Seuil.
Davey, E. (2012, October). Beyond the ‘French Doctors’: The evolution and interpretation of humanitarian action in France. ODI/HPG.
Davies, K. (2012, August). Continuity, change and contest: meanings of ‘humanitarian’ from the ‘Religion of Humanity’ to the Kosovo war. ODI/HPG.
Fassin, D. (2011). Humanitarian Reason: A Moral History of the Present. Berkeley University of California Press.
Feinstein International Center. (2010, January). Humanitarian Horizons: a practitioners’ guide to the Future.
Finnemore, M. (2003). The purpose of intervention: changing beliefs about the use of force. Cornell University Press.
Finnemore, M., & Sikkink, K. (1998). International Norm Dynamic and Political Change. International Organization, 52(4), 887-917.
Foucault, M. (2022). The archaeology of knowledge. Routledge.
Gingerich, T. R., & Cohen, M. J. (2015, July). Turning the humanitarian system on its head. Oxfam.
Gorgeu, R. (2023). Thinking about the evolution of the humanitarian sector: an exploration within the world of ideas. HEREGeneva.
Grawitz, M. (2000). Méthodes Des Sciences Sociales (11th ed.). Dalloz.
Guizzini, S., & Leander, A. (2005). Constructivism and International Relations. Routledge.
Husserl, E. (1985). Idées directrices pour une phénoménologie. Gallimard.
Husserl, E. (2000). Méditations Cartésiennes, Introduction à la Phénoménologie. Vrin.
Jodelet, D. (2015). Représentations sociales et mondes de vie. Éditions des archives contemporaines.
Katzenstein, P. J. (1996). The Culture of National Security: Norms and Identity in World Politics. Columbia University Press.
Khagram, S., Riker, J. V., & Sikkink, K. (2002). Restructuring world Politics: Transnational Social Movements, Networks, and Norms. University of Minnesota Press.
Knox Clarke, P. (2018, December). The State of the Humanitarian System 2018. ALNAP.13
Krebs, H. (2014, September). Responsibility, legitimacy, morality: Chinese humanitarianism in historical perspective. ODI/HPG.
Lahire, B. (2023). Les structures fondamentales des sociétés humaines. La Découverte.
LLored, P. (2018). Sociologie : Théories et analyses. Ellipses.
Marklund, C. (2016, January). Neutrality and solidarity in Nordic humanitarian action. ODI/HPG.
Meier, C., & Murthy, C. S. R. (2011, March). India’s Growing Involvement in Humanitarian Assistance. GPPI.
Montemurro, M., & Wendt, K. (2020, April). Unpacking humanitarianism. HERE Geneva.
Moussa, J. (2014, November). Ancient origins, modern actors: defining Arabic meanings of humanitarianism. ODI/HPG.
Norwegian Refugee Council. (2019). Financing the nexus gaps and opportunities from a field perspective.
Onuf, N. (2012). World of our making, rules and rule in social theory and International Relations. Routledge.
Risse, T., Ropp, S. C., & Sikkink, K. (1999). The Power of Human Right. Cambridge University Press.
Ryfman, P. (2004). Une histoire de l’humanitaire. La Découverte.
Saez, P., Konyndyk, J., & Worden, R. (2021, September). Rethinking Humanitarian Reform: What Will it Take to Truly Change the System? Center for Global Development.
Schutz, A., & Luckmann, T. (1973). The Structures of the Life-world. Northwestern University Press.
The Trumanitarian. (2023, July 17). Spelunking.
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
United Nations. (2016, February). One humanity: shared responsibility, Report of the Secretary-General for the World Humanitarian Summit.
United Nations. (2020, March). Shared responsibility, global solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.
United Nations. (2020, April). A UN framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19.
Weiss, T. G., & Barnett, M. (2008). Humanitarianism: A Brief History of the Present. Cornell University Press.
Wendt, A. (1999). Social Theory of International Politics. Cambridge University Press.