The role of NGO's during wartime: humanitarian vs pacifist ideals

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

5 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

01/15/2009

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Humanities/philosophy

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Summary :

Introduction.
The original debate on the humanizing of war by humanitarian action.
1. Humanitarian ideals: A fight to humanize war.
2. Criticisms from pacifists by humanizing wars.
3. Humanitarian action is necessary.
NGO's acceptance that action can sometime contribute to wars.
1. The embezzlement of humanitarian aid: A resource for the perpetuation of wars.
2. humanitarian actors' contribution to war: Remaining neutral.
3. The issue of 'humanitarian war'.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.

Abstract

Since the beginning of modern humanitarian action during wartime (with the birth of the ICRC), the question of the ngos' role on the battlefields has been the subject of an important controversy, opposing humanitarian to pacifist ideals. Indeed, pacifists' main point was to denounce the fact that, in different ways and especially by humanizing wars, humanitarian action during conflicts indirectly contributed to the perpetuation of war.
As we will see, although the original debate opposing the ICRC to pacifists ended in the "victory" of humanitarian ideals, which were legitimated according to the international opinion, the idea that ngos can indirectly contribute to war in several different manners is still relevant nowadays and ngos need to admit it to ameliorate their action and avoid certain pitfalls (II). The humanitarian ideal is based on a fundamental value: respect of human life.