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 language | English |
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Title of host publication | Intergroup Helping |
Editors | Esther van Leeuwen, Hanna Zagefka |
Place of Publication | Switzerland |
Publisher | Springer |
Pages | 369-388 |
Number of pages | 20 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783319530260 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783319530246 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Keywords
- activism
- generosity
- humanitarian assistance
- social justice