Sword & Salve Confronting New Wars and Humanitarian Crises

by Hoffman, Peter J.; Weiss, Thomas G.

• ISBN13: 9780742539785
• ISBN10: 0742539784
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-03
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

In the first book to systematically explore the linkages between war and emergency response, Hoffman and Weiss focus on the profound impact of new wars with non-state actors. The authors trace the evolution of the international humanitarian system from its inception in the 1860s through the current challenges cast by recent U.S. military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. By bringing historical perspective to bear on the mechanics of war and humanitarian action, Sword & Salve provides an essential analytical framework for grasping the nature of crises and how aid agencies can respond strategically rather than reactively to change. Students will find it a powerful tool for understanding the roles of state and non-state actors in international relations, as well as the panopoly of means and ends encompassed by contemporary humanitarianisms.

Author Biography

Peter J. Hoffman is a research associate at the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, The CUNY Graduate Center Thomas G. Weiss is Presidential Professor of Political Science and director of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, The CUNY Graduate Center

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	ix
List of Abbreviation	xiii
Foreword	xv
Michael Barnett
Preface	xix
Introduction	1	(8)
Concepts and Connections of War and Humanitarianism	9	(16)
The Lexicon	10	(2)
War's Impact on Humanitarianism: Triggering Crises and Eliciting Responses	12	(1)
Humanitarianism's Influence on War: Inspiring Norms and Altering Outcomes	12	(3)
Change and Continuity in War and Humanitarianism	15	(6)
Putting the Lenses Together	21	(4)
Foundations	25	(28)
The Rise of Interstate War	26	(9)
The Birth of the International Humanitarian System	35	(11)
The Founding Era in Historical Perspective	46	(7)
``New Wars''	53	(28)
So, What's New?	57	(2)
Fragmented Authority and Meaningless Borders: A New Locus	59	(5)
The Proliferation of Nonstate Actors: New Agents	64	(4)
Illegal Economies, Plunder, and Aid: New Economies	68	(4)
The Prevalence of Civilian Casualties: New Targets and Victims	72	(3)
The Revolution in Military Affairs: New Technologies	75	(2)
Windows on War: New Media Power	77	(1)
``New Wars'' in Historical Perspective	78	(3)
``New Humanitarianisms''	81	(38)
So, What's New?	83	(6)
Creating Space and Access	89	(5)
Engagement Dilemmas: Negotiating Access with Agents	94	(10)
Economies of War, Economies of Aid	104	(4)
The Responsibility to Protect War Victims and Aid Personnel	108	(4)
Taming Deadly Technologies	112	(1)
Maximizing Media Attention to Humanitarian Crises	113	(3)
``New Humanitarianisms'' in Historical Perspective	116	(3)
Humanitarianism and Collective Action	119	(20)
The Panacea of ``Coordination''	121	(4)
Three Threads of Collective Action: Cooperation, Centralization, and Integration	125	(3)
Divergent Perceptions of Needs, Priorities, and Sequences	128	(1)
Differences in Tactical Engagements	129	(2)
The Value of Independent and Diverse Operations	131	(1)
The Blowback from Insecurity	131	(1)
Institutional Rivalries	132	(3)
Collective Pursuits and ``Atomized'' Action	135	(4)
Making Sense of Afghanistan and Iraq	139	(44)
So, What's Really New?	143	(10)
Humanitarian Crises in Afghanistan and Iraq	153	(4)
Hybrid Wars on Terrorism and for Empire	157	(4)
Al Qaeda as Spoiler and Hostile Aid Recipients	161	(3)
Big Business in Oil, War, and Reconstruction	164	(3)
Conspicuous Economic Interests in Relief and Protection	167	(4)
Acute Security Threats to Aid Personnel and Journalists	171	(4)
High Technology versus High-Enough Technology	175	(1)
The International Spotlight	176	(3)
The Collective and Cumulative Challenges of Turf Wars	179	(4)
Humanitarian Strategic Thinking ... and Doing	183	(32)
Assessing Change in Humanitarianism: The Case for Strategic Thinking and Doing	184	(5)
Learning Cultures and Adaptation: Military Institutions versus Humanitarian Agencies	189	(10)
Strategic Review: Humanitarian Power and Position	199	(3)
Sharpening Strategies and Crafting Capacities	202	(5)
Soothing Tomorrow's Wars with Stronger Salves?	207	(8)
Notes	215	(34)
Index	249	(10)
About the Authors	259