When giving isn't enough : responding to humanitarian emergencies through benevolent and activist support

Emma F. Thomas, Craig McGarty

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

There is a pressing need to promote generous responses to humanitarian emergencies. Our chapter addresses this need by seeking to advance understanding of the collective underpinnings of generosity. The first section of the chapter develops the distinction between (what we argue to be) two qualitatively distinct forms of generosity: benevolent and activist generosity. Benevolent support reflects efforts aimed to reduce disadvantage through the transfer of money, goods, or services (synonymous with ‘charity’ or ‘philanthropy’) while activist support reflects efforts to reduce disadvantage by challenging the system that maintains that disadvantage (synonymous with ‘activism’ or ‘collective action’). We draw on literature from the psychological, economic, and political sciences to develop a typology of the two forms of humanitarian action. We review our recent work that supports the distinction between these two orientations and detail the implications for theory and practice. The second part of the chapter considers the micro and macro means through which engagement with the humanitarian agenda may be created. We describe research on small group interaction that shows that social identification can emerge through structured small group interaction or discussion (micro). We also discuss research on the role of social media in promoting broad engagement with humanitarian issues with specific reference to Kony 2012, Rwandan post-genocide reconciliation and the global refugee crisis (macro). Throughout this chapter, we highlight the collective bases of engagement in the humanitarian agenda and the importance of group goals and interests in pursuing social change.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIntergroup Helping
EditorsEsther van Leeuwen, Hanna Zagefka
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
PublisherSpringer
Pages369-388
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9783319530260
ISBN (Print)9783319530246
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • activism
  • generosity
  • humanitarian assistance
  • social justice

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