Between Samaritans and States

The Political Ethics of Humanitarian INGOs

Jennifer C. Rubenstein

An interdisciplinary work which draws upon political theory, ethics, philosophy and original fieldwork
Address pressing real-world issues

New in Paperback

Between Samaritans and States

The Political Ethics of Humanitarian INGOs

Jennifer C. Rubenstein

Description

This book provides the first book-length, English-language account of the political ethics of large-scale, Western-based humanitarian INGOs, such as Oxfam, CARE, and Doctors Without Borders. These INGOs are often either celebrated as 'do-gooding machines' or maligned as incompetents 'on the road to hell'. In contrast, this book suggests the picture is more complicated.

Drawing on political theory, philosophy, and ethics, along with original fieldwork, this book shows that while humanitarian INGOs are often perceived as non-governmental and apolitical, they are in fact sometimes somewhat governmental, highly political, and often 'second-best' actors. As a result, they face four central ethical predicaments: the problem of spattered hands, the quandary of the second-best, the cost-effectiveness conundrum, and the moral motivation trade-off.

This book considers what it would look like for INGOs to navigate these predicaments in ways that are as consistent as possible with democratic, egalitarian, humanitarian and justice-based norms. It argues that humanitarian INGOs must regularly make deep moral compromises. In choosing which compromises to make, they should focus primarily on their overall consequences, as opposed to their intentions or the intrinsic value of their activities. But they should interpret consequences expansively, and not limit themselves to those that are amenable to precise cost-benefit analysis. The book concludes by explaining the implications of its 'map' of humanitarian INGO political ethics for individual donors to INGOs, and for how we all should conceive of INGOs' role in addressing pressing global problems.

New in Paperback

Between Samaritans and States

The Political Ethics of Humanitarian INGOs

Jennifer C. Rubenstein

Between Samaritans and States

The Political Ethics of Humanitarian INGOs

Jennifer C. Rubenstein

Author Information

Jennifer C. Rubenstein is an Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, specializing in political theory.

New in Paperback

Between Samaritans and States

The Political Ethics of Humanitarian INGOs

Jennifer C. Rubenstein

Reviews and Awards

2016 ISA Ethics Panel Book Award
2016 Winner of the APSA-IPSA Theodore J. Lowi First Book Award

"The literature on humanitarianism has now fully embraced the idea that humanitarianism is a set of walking contradictions and moral dilemmas, and Rubenstein's is the first book to use the insights and tools of political theory to interrogate these tensions. Not only does she present a fresh take on these issues, but she expertly identifies what counts as "fair" and "unfair" criticism and how to move beyond critique to solution. It is also rare for a political theorist to wander onto the terrain of international relations; unlike most who do, who tend to inhabit the realm of normative theory and thus excuse themselves from real world politics, Rubenstein makes an original contribution to our understanding of ethics as lived. Importantly, Rubenstein rightly sees humanitarian organizations as involved in governance and shows exactly what this means both for the governors and the governed." -Michael Barnett, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University

"This deeply insightful book explores the ethical reasoning behind choices aid organisations make when faced with moral dilemmas in the course of their attempts to alleviate suffering in the world. It is an enormous achievement: a highly readable and thought-provoking appraisal of the international aid enterprise that is of great value to everyone involved in or studying contemporary humanitarian action." -Fiona Terry, author of Condemned to Repeat?

"This is a powerful and original contribution to the political theory of humanitarian aid. Jennifer Rubenstein has produced a pioneering analysis that, for the first time, gives a detailed normative account of the political ethics of NGOs in today's wars and disasters. This book will help humanitarians to understand themselves and give political theorists a more accurate insight into this growing dimension of international relations." -Dr Hugo Slim, University of Oxford

"Jennifer Rubenstein provides humanitarian actors with new, thought-provoking perspectives on their decisions and the underlying assumptions that drive them. The way she analyses the ethical predicaments that characterize NGOs' field work helps reframe the issues at play and think more rigorously about their expected outcomes and drawbacks. A must-read for all aid workers." -Rony Brauman, Director of studies at MSF Foundation, former President of MSF (France)

"In the growing literature on humanitarian aid by social and political scientists, this book brings one of the most systematic and thorough analysis of the moral predicaments faced by NGOs as they attempt to provide assistance to the victims of conflicts, disasters and epidemics. Showing that ethics and politics are intimately connected in these contexts, it proposes a lucid inquiry into the practices of benevolent international actors and takes the risk of normative stances to improve their interventions." -Didier Fassin, author of Humanitarian Reason: A Moral History of the Present (University of California Press)