Sword & Salve: Confronting New Wars And Humanitarian Crises

by Peter J. Hoffman, Thomas G. Weiss

Arguing forcefully that changing times are a clarion call for new thinking, this book convincingly shows that if humanitarian organizations continue to operate as they have in the past, they will fail to help the very victims whom they try to save. Focusing especially on the emergence of 'new wars, ' Hoffman and Weiss insist that humanitarian organizations must recognize that they live in a political world and that their actions and goals are invariably affected by military action. The brand of warfare that erupted in the 1990s-marked by civil or transnational armed conflicts featuring potent non-state actors, altered political economies, a high proportion of civilian casualties, and a globalized media-produced horrors that shocked consciences and led humanitarian agencies to question their unyielding stance of neutrality and impartiality. Indeed, in a departure from earlier norms and practices, some have reinvented their policies and tools and created 'new humanitarianisms.' This authoritative book traces the evolution of the international humanitarian system from its inception in the 1860s, parses the dynamics of war and emergency response from the 1980s through the current disasters in Afghanistan and Iraq, and provides a strategic roadmap for practitioners. By bringing historical perspective to bear, this volume provides an invaluable analytical framework for grasping the nature of humanitarian crises and how agencies can respond strategically rather than reactively to change. Students will find its blend of clearly presented theory and case studies a powerful tool for understanding the roles of state and non-state actors in international relations. By charting the tides of continuity and change, this book will prepare agencies to dodge both figurative and actual bullets that threaten humanitarian action at the outset of the millennium.

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2006

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Reviews

[Ted Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been a better 20-page journal article, than a 213-page book, BUT Hoffman and Weiss did a great job making the case than humanitarian organizations need to approach relief work from a perspective that looks at results and outcomes through a strategic lens. Their most interesting chapters were in discussing the history and development of the modern humanitarian movement AND their chapter on the rise of private security firms, and how these firms pose ethical dilemmas for groups wanting to be safe but having to employ contractors to ensure the work is complete.