This book aims to map and analyse the main debates surrounding humanitarianism, its purposes and fundamental dilemmas. Starting with a contextualisation of the evolution of international conflict and the historical roots of humanitarian ideology and its fundamental principles, it identifies the marked differences between original humanitarianism - with an eminently humanitarian ambition and whose scope obeys a code of principles such as impartiality and independence - and humanitarianism with a broad agenda, intertwined with pacification, institution-building or development policies. This analysis also aims to open up a space for further reflection on the place and role of humanitarian action, its actors and principles, within the framework of intervention logics and global interventionism, as well as on the challenges facing the theory and practice of humanitarian action and the dilemmas it faces.

The presentation session will take place in English and is organised within the framework of the PhD Programmes in International Politics and Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Contemporary Societies (CES/FEUC).