Humanitarianism and the International Committee of the Red Cross, 1859 to 1989

This book explores how humanitarianism—often perceived as a selfless moral act—is in fact deeply entangled with political interests and structures of power. Centering on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), it asks: where did modern humanitarianism come from? Why was it embraced? How has it been practiced—and with what limits? And ultimately, with what discursive power? Spanning from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century, the book is structured around these guiding questions. It examines the emergence of humanitarian ideals in Western contexts, the motivations—emotional, strategic, and political—behind humanitarian aid, and the practical and ethical constraints that shape its delivery. A central theme is humanitarianism as a ‘magnetic concept’: morally powerful yet ideologically flexible, allowing different actors to project their values and interests under a banner of compassion. Accessible and conceptually rich, this book is essential for those interested in humanitarian history, international relations, and the political uses of morality.

Irène Herrmann is Professor of Swiss Transnational History at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She researches humanitarianism, solidarity, conceptual history, and political history. Irène is the author of over 175 scholarly articles, ten edited volumes, and five monographs, including L’humanitaire en Questions (2018).