Complex Emergencies

This timely new book by David Keen analyses the abusive systems that surround and produce humanitarian disasters. It gives particular attention to the economic, political and psychological functions of civil conflicts and humanitarian disasters. This analysis is used as a foundation for discussing interventions that have proven to be helpful or unhelpful in the international world. As a leading figure in the field, the structure of the book reflects the evolution of Keen's thinking in these areas and the way his focus has changed over time. The book begins with famine and moves to consider war and then trade, before looking at some more psychological factors in mass violence, at the role of information in disasters, at humanitarian aid finally, at possibilities for peace. The book will suggest that interventions need to take account of both the vested interests in a conflict and the emotional factors which also inform violence. This very succinct and accessible book will appeal to students of development studies, war and peace studies, international relations, politics and government, human rights, sociology, anthropology and social psychology. It will also interest aid workers and government officials working in this area.

David Keen is Reader in Complex Emergencies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.