Hierarchies and Exclusion in Humanitarianism

'A remarkable interdisciplinary achievement, shedding light on the hidden mechanisms that create and sustain hierarchies in the humanitarian field. With rigorous analysis and fresh cases and perspectives, it offers a crucial contribution to ongoing debates on humanitarian policy, practices, and governance.' Rodrigo Mena, Assistant Professor of Disasters and Humanitarian Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam

'Well documented, well studied and revealing, this edited volume is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand humanitarian action and its governance. It is not just a superb scholarly work, but also a call to action to improve the humanitarian system.' Dennis Dijkzeul, Professor in Conflict and Organization Research, Ruhr University Bochum

'Clara Egger's volume tears up a glossy poster of the "do-gooders" world in order to show us the reality of the governance of humanitarian aid. It helps us to understand another dimension of the hierarchy of global governance which is of particular importance having in mind that humanitarian aspects are at the first front of every crisis debate in the main governance bodies.' Patrycja Grzebyk, Associate Professor at the University of Warsaw

This book moves away from the glossy images of the humanitarian gesture to analyse how hierarchies, power asymmetries and exclusion emerge, are maintained and can be ultimately challenged in the humanitarian arena. With leading scholars on humanitarianism coming from a variety of disciplinary fields, the book analyses exclusion dynamics at the individual, organizational and structural levels, combining data from ethnography, historical analysis interviews, survey and statistical analysis. Hierarchies and exclusion in humanitarianism not only analyses hierarchies in global governance but also inform current efforts to strengthen inclusiveness and equity in humanitarianism.