What conditions are usually said to make a humanitarian intervention legitimate?

That the abuses are grave and on a large scale, that peaceful means have been tried and failed, that force is proportionate and has a reasonable prospect of success, and that it is authorised by proper authority — normally the UN Security Council.

What outcome did the NATO intervention in Kosovo (1999) achieve, and why was it controversial?

It successfully halted ethnic cleansing, but was controversial because it lacked UN Security Council authorisation.

Why is the UN intervention in Somalia (1992-1995) considered an example of unsuccessful humanitarian intervention?

Mission creep and the 'Black Hawk Down' incident led to withdrawal without achieving lasting stability.

What does the international response to the 1994 Rwandan genocide represent in terms of humanitarian intervention?

It represents a catastrophic failure of humanitarian intervention, as the international community failed to intervene effectively despite early warnings of the genocide.

What is selective interventionism?

Selective interventionism occurs when states choose to intervene in some humanitarian crises but not others, often based on strategic interests, geopolitical considerations, or the perceived costs of intervention.

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Global Governance: Human Rights and Environmental

Humanitarian intervention and the Responsibility to Protect

3 things to know
Component 3

Overview

Recall questions on the interventions of the 1990s, selective interventionism, the three pillars of R2P, and the charge of Western double standards.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Process

What are the three pillars of the Responsibility to Protect?

Numbers

Why is the 2011 Libya intervention cited as evidence of Western hypocrisy regarding R2P?

Who and when

Why did humanitarian interventions increase significantly during the 1990s?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What conditions are usually said to make a humanitarian intervention legitimate?
Model answer
That the abuses are grave and on a large scale, that peaceful means have been tried and failed, that force is proportionate and has a reasonable prospect of success, and that it is authorised by proper authority — normally the UN Security Council.
2
Why did humanitarian interventions increase significantly during the 1990s?
Model answer
The end of the Cold War removed superpower rivalry, enabling greater UN Security Council consensus on intervention.
3
What outcome did the NATO intervention in Kosovo (1999) achieve, and why was it controversial?
Model answer
It successfully halted ethnic cleansing, but was controversial because it lacked UN Security Council authorisation.
4
Why is the UN intervention in Somalia (1992-1995) considered an example of unsuccessful humanitarian intervention?
Model answer
Mission creep and the 'Black Hawk Down' incident led to withdrawal without achieving lasting stability.
5
What does the international response to the 1994 Rwandan genocide represent in terms of humanitarian intervention?
Model answer
It represents a catastrophic failure of humanitarian intervention, as the international community failed to intervene effectively despite early warnings of the genocide.
6
What is selective interventionism?
Model answer
Selective interventionism occurs when states choose to intervene in some humanitarian crises but not others, often based on strategic interests, geopolitical considerations, or the perceived costs of intervention.

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