Being in force today

An analysis of the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in international norm creation and the progressive development of international humanitarian law.

Provides a history of the Red Cross and discusses the philosophy and work of the societies that are part of this international organization.

Throughout the world, a red cross or red crescent is recognized as a symbol of comfort and assistance to those in need. Often visible even in the midst of war, the Red Cross dedicates itself to helping people regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliation. A red cross or red crescent symbol may also show up when volunteers are simply bringing hot coffee to weary firefighters or other rescue workers. In any emergency, the Red Cross and Red Crescent can be counted on to help almost anywhere in the world. Book jacket.

From Lake Chad to Iraq, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) provide relief around the globe, and their scope is growing every year. Policy makers and activists often assume that humanitarian aid is best provided by these organizations, which are generally seen as impartial and neutral. In Above the Fray, Shai M. Dromi investigates why the international community overwhelmingly trusts humanitarian NGOs by looking at the historical development of their culture. With a particular focus on the Red Cross, Dromi reveals that NGOs arose because of the efforts of orthodox Calvinists, demonstrating for the first time the origins of the unusual moral culture that has supported NGOs for the past 150 years. Drawing on archival research, Dromi traces the genesis of the Red Cross to a Calvinist movement working in mid-nineteenth-century Geneva. He shows how global humanitarian policies emerged from the Red Cross founding members’ faith that an international volunteer program not beholden to the state was the only ethical way to provide relief to victims of armed conflict. By illustrating how Calvinism shaped the humanitarian field, Dromi argues for the key role belief systems play in establishing social fields and institutions. Ultimately, Dromi shows the immeasurable social good that NGOs have achieved, but also points to their limitations and suggests that alternative models of humanitarian relief need to be considered.