Doing bad by doing good : why humanitarian action fails / Christopher J. Coyne.

Format:

• Book

Author/Creator:

• Coyne, Christopher J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

• Humanitarian assistance--Economic aspects.
• Humanitarian intervention--Economic aspects.
• Economic assistance.
• Humanitarian intervention.
• Humanitarian assistance.

Physical Description:

xiv, 258 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Stanford, California : Stanford Economics and Finance, an imprint of Stanford University Press, [2013]

Summary:

In 2010, Haiti was Ravaged by a brutal earthquake. Millions suffered. The call to assist those in need was heard around the globe. Yet, two years later, the humanitarian efforts of governments and NGOs have largely fallen short. How can these measures, intended to help the suffering, fail so badly? In this timely and provocative book, Christopher J. Coyne uses the economic way of thinking to explain why humanitarian efforts which aim to do good end up doing nothing-or even causing harm. Considering a wide range of interventions, this book offers a bold alternative to state-led humanitarian action, focused on establishing an environment of economic freedom. If we are willing to experiment by asking questions about how to foster development as a process of societal discovery, we increase the range of alternatives to help people and empower them to improve their well being. Anyone concerned with and dedicated to alleviating human suffering-from policymakers and activists to scholars-will find this book to be an insightful reframing of humanitarian action. Book jacket.

Contents:

• Introduction : a living example of the puzzle
• The man of the humanitarian system
• The evolution of humanitarian action
• Adaptability and the planner's problem
• Political competition replaces market competition
• The bureaucracy of humanitarianism
• Killing people with kindness
• Solving the puzzle
• Rethinking the man of the humanitarian system.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 223-245) and index.

ISBN:

• 9780804772273
• 0804772274
• 9780804772280
• 0804772282

OCLC:

818953141