Anderson is the best example, to “do no harm”, represents a discussion of the
political consequences of humanitarian action, including harmful consequences,
and the problems of responsibility for those.^97 Thirdly, the transformative concerns
of maximalists point to the biggest debate of all: what is the scope of
humanitarianism?
3. The Scope of Humanitarianism
Craig Calhoun argues that professional humanitarians are haunted by three
questions, pertaining to the scope of their endeavour:
Do they seek to improve the human condition, the well-being of all
humanity? Or, do they seek to alleviate suffering, impartially, neutrally, and
wherever it may occur? Or, do they respond more specifically to
“humanitarian emergencies,” seemingly sudden crises in which human
conflict creates concentrated human suffering, in which, perhaps, suffering
is so extreme as to be dehumanizing?^98This sets out some useful initial parameters about the practical scope of
humanitarianism. Linked to this is the perennial question of whether
humanitarianism, in addressing all or any of these practical directions, should be
addressing the root causes of the suffering in question, or merely dealing with the
consequences. For example, Roberto Belloni states clearly his view on the subject.
“Humanitarianism is not about prevention, but damage control.”^99 But looking back
through the history of professional humanitarianism, it rapidly becomes evident
that such a clear-cut view has never been taken, even by that bastion of classical
humanitarianism, the ICRC. In its attempts to “humanise” war, the ICRC has always
97
Mary B. Anderson, Do No Harm: How Aid Can Support Peace - or War (Boulder: Lynne
Rienner, 1999). 98
Craig Calhoun, "The Imperative to Reduce Suffering: Charity, Progress, and Emergencies
in the Field of Humanitarian Action", in Humanitarianism in Question: Politics, Power,
Ethics , ed. Michael Barnett and Thomas G. Weiss (London: Cornell University Press, 2008),
- 99
Roberto Belloni, "The Trouble with Humanitarianism", Review of International Studies 33,
no. 3 (2007): 457.