Humanitarian Myths and Hubris

A Critical Self-Portrait from Medecins Sans Frontieres
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-032-89329-7
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 244 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

Reihe: Routledge Humanitarian Studies

This book explores the shifting role and relevance of humanitarian action today, through the prism of Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Initially created to provide healthcare to the most vulnerable populations in crisis-stricken countries, MSF has grown from just a few dozen members in 1971 to a movement with over 60,000 people and an annual budget of over 2 billion euros. But in today’s rapidly changing global landscape, many of the founding principles and idealised myths surrounding organisations such as MSF are questioned, challenged, or undermined. This book considers the profound changes impacting the sector, from questionable adherence to international humanitarian law, to increased rates of forced displacement, hostile state policies, climate-induced factors, and pressures for organisations to decentralise. The book considers whether MSF’s organisational model and ways of working are still fit for purpose, and what evolutions are necessary to meet the medical humanitarian needs of today.

This important and candid self-critical analysis will be an important read for humanitarian practitioners, and for students and researchers working on the humanitarian sector.

Zielgruppe

Academic, Postgraduate, Professional Practice & Development, and Undergraduate Advanced

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mavor, Amy

Mclean, Duncan

Duroch, Françoise

Duroch, Francoise

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Soziale Folgen von Katastrophen
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Internationale Beziehungen Internationale Organisationen und Institutionen
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Internationale Beziehungen Geopolitik
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Gewalt Völkermord, Ethnische Säuberung, Kriegsverbrechen
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Genozid und ethnische Säuberung
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Invalidität, Krankheit und Abhängigkeit: Soziale Aspekte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Nichtregierungsorganisation (NGOs)
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Friedens- und Konfliktforschung
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Menschenrechte, Bürgerrechte
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Gesundheitssoziologie, Medizinsoziologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Arbeit/Sozialpädagogik Community Care, Bildung, Freizeit, Freiwilligenarbeit
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Arbeit/Sozialpädagogik Soziale Dienste, Soziale Organisationen
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Sozialpolitik
• Medizin | Veterinärmedizin Medizin | Public Health | Pharmazie | Zahnmedizin Medizinische Fachgebiete AINS Notfallmedizin & Unfallmedizin (inkl. Notdienste)

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: Humanitarianism in Retreat?  PART I – ELEMENTS OF CHANGE AND CONTINUITY  Chapter 1: ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Victims? A Matter of Choice  Zoom In: Healthcare Without Borders – Navigating Securitisation and Exclusion of Migrants  Chapter 2: The Evolution of How MSF Treats People  Chapter 3: Hostility to Aid Actors: Normalising Transgression?  Zoom In: Security Management with Locally Hired Staff: A Collaboration with Gaps?  PART II – NAVIGATING EXPECTATIONS  Chapter 4: From Technique to Technicity: Evolving Aims in MSF’s Medical Practice  Chapter 5: Global Health Security in Humanitarian Medicine – What is the Greater Good?  Zoom In: The IFRC’s Community-Driven Approach in DRC’s Ebola Outbreak  Chapter 6: Caught in the Crossfire? International NGOs and Contemporary Forms of Protest and Resistance Zoom In: Protecting Humanitarian Action in an Age of Disinformation  Chapter 7: Speaking Out With, Not For: Rethinking Humanitarian Narratives  PART III – CHALLENGING ADAPTATIONS  Chapter 8: Liberal vs. Critical: Diverging Paths in Humanitarian Aid and Global Health Zoom In: Reflecting On Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in MSF  Chapter 9: Absorbed Into the War Machine: What Is Independence When Everything Is Connected?  Chapter 10: Without Borders, Within Boundaries: Learning How to Deliver Aid in Light of The Climate Emergency Epilogue: Negotiating Spaces, Defending Convictions

Über Autor(innen)

Duncan McLean is currently a Senior Researcher with MSF’s reflection centre UREPH, based in Geneva. Holding a PhD in history, he has published widely on the humanitarian sector, regularly lectures at universities throughout Europe, and is on the editorial board of the Journal of Humanitarian Affairs.

Françoise Duroch began working in the humanitarian field in the early 1990s with Handicap International, then with MSF. She has spent 15 years researching gender-based violence and holds a PhD in social sciences. She is a lecturer at several universities and currently coordinates the MSF Switzerland research unit in Geneva.

Amy Mavor holds master’s degrees in languages from the University of Edinburgh and translation from Université Rennes 2, and has worked since 2018 as Publishing and Editing Officer at MSF Switzerland’s research unit.