Legitimacy and Humanitarian Intervention: Who Should Intervene?

ISSN： 1364-2987

Source： The International Journal of Human Rights, Vol.12, Iss.3, 2008-01, pp. : 395-413

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Abstract

In this article, I examine who should undertake humanitarian intervention. Should we prefer intervention by the UN, NATO, a regional or sub-regional organisation, a state, a group of states, or someone else? To answer this question, I first determine which qualities of interveners are morally significant. I highlight in particular the importance of an intervener's effectiveness and, in doing so, develop a particular conception of legitimacy for humanitarian intervention. I then consider the more empirical question of whether (and to what extent) the current agents of humanitarian intervention actually possess the morally relevant qualities identified, and therefore should intervene. In the last part of the article, I consider ways of improving agents' willingness to intervene and, ultimately, the legitimacy of humanitarian intervention.