
Humanitarianism
A Very Short Introduction
Julia F. Irwin(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Will be published approx. on 25. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-0-19-775309-5 (ISBN)
Description
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
Humanitarian crises are a central problem of modern history and contemporary international relations. According to United Nations estimates, 300 million people required humanitarian assistance and protection in 2024 alone, due to displacement, armed conflict, food insecurity, disasters, and the consequences of climate change. The international humanitarian system, in turn, plays a powerful role in 21st century global affairs. Since the 1990s, the aid sector has ballooned in size and influence. It is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, employing hundreds of thousands of people globally.
In a clear, accessible, and concise narrative, Humanitarianism: A Very Short Introduction explains how and why this situation came to be. In this book, historian Julia F. Irwin traces the events and trends that defined modern humanitarianism, from the eighteenth century up to the present day. It describes the origins of international humanitarian action, the development of major humanitarian organizations and movements, the evolution of international humanitarian law, and the expansion of the international humanitarian sector. It examines organized efforts to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity amid major conflicts, disasters, refugee crises, and other humanitarian emergencies. At the same time, Irwin shows how beliefs about race, gender, religion, and nationality have historically influenced humanitarian sentiments and actions. Attuned to the distinctions between wartime, postwar, and non-conflict situations, Irwin assesses criticisms waged against humanitarian actions and debates over the legitimacy of humanitarian interventions. This Very Short Introduction also teases out the complex relationship between humanitarianism, human rights, and international development. Finally, this book surveys diverse and competing humanitarian traditions throughout the world, placing humanitarian ideals and practices in a global context.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Humanitarian crises are a central problem of modern history and contemporary international relations. According to United Nations estimates, 300 million people required humanitarian assistance and protection in 2024 alone, due to displacement, armed conflict, food insecurity, disasters, and the consequences of climate change. The international humanitarian system, in turn, plays a powerful role in 21st century global affairs. Since the 1990s, the aid sector has ballooned in size and influence. It is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, employing hundreds of thousands of people globally.
In a clear, accessible, and concise narrative, Humanitarianism: A Very Short Introduction explains how and why this situation came to be. In this book, historian Julia F. Irwin traces the events and trends that defined modern humanitarianism, from the eighteenth century up to the present day. It describes the origins of international humanitarian action, the development of major humanitarian organizations and movements, the evolution of international humanitarian law, and the expansion of the international humanitarian sector. It examines organized efforts to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity amid major conflicts, disasters, refugee crises, and other humanitarian emergencies. At the same time, Irwin shows how beliefs about race, gender, religion, and nationality have historically influenced humanitarian sentiments and actions. Attuned to the distinctions between wartime, postwar, and non-conflict situations, Irwin assesses criticisms waged against humanitarian actions and debates over the legitimacy of humanitarian interventions. This Very Short Introduction also teases out the complex relationship between humanitarianism, human rights, and international development. Finally, this book surveys diverse and competing humanitarian traditions throughout the world, placing humanitarian ideals and practices in a global context.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Illustrations
10 black and white images
Dimensions
Height: 173 mm
Width: 108 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
124 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-775309-5 (9780197753095)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Julia Irwin is the T. Harry Williams Professor of History at Louisiana State University. She earned her Ph.D. in History from Yale University. Her research focuses on the histories of U.S. foreign assistance and international humanitarianism. She is the author of Making the World Safe: The American Red Cross and a Nation's Humanitarian Awakening and Catastrophic Diplomacy: US Foreign Disaster Assistance in the American Century. She is also a founding co-editor of the book series InterConnections: The Global 20th Century and a founding co-editor of the Journal of Disaster Studies.
Author
T. Harry Williams Professor of HistoryT. Harry Williams Professor of History, Louisiana State University
Content
Table of contents
List of illustrations
Common abbreviations
Acknowledgements Chapter 1: What is humanitarianism?
Chapter 2: Origin stories
Chapter 3: Organizational and legal structures
Chapter 4: From one World War to another
Chapter 5: Cold wars, hot wars, decolonization, and development
Chapter 6: Humanitarianism in flux
References
Further Reading
Index
List of illustrations
Common abbreviations
Acknowledgements Chapter 1: What is humanitarianism?
Chapter 2: Origin stories
Chapter 3: Organizational and legal structures
Chapter 4: From one World War to another
Chapter 5: Cold wars, hot wars, decolonization, and development
Chapter 6: Humanitarianism in flux
References
Further Reading
Index