Solidarity and Humanitarianism DOCX

Title	Solidarity and Humanitarianism
Author	Katelyn Squires
File Size	102.6 KB
File Type	DOCX
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Summary

Katelyn Squires Solidarity and Humanitarianism: an examination of Vasak’s theory of third generation rights and informal solidarity in post crisis Greece This paper will be guided by the central question; what is the value of solidarity rights and how does informal social solidarity shed light on a ...

Description

Katelyn Squires Solidarity and Humanitarianism: an examination of Vasak's theory of third generation rights and informal solidarity in post crisis Greece This paper will be guided by the central question; what is the value of solidarity rights and how does informal social solidarity shed light on a failure of formal bodies of human rights? This essay will examine the import of Karel Vasak's theory of "third generation" solidarity rights within contemporary research on human rights. A concern for solidarity rights, and a social prac- tice of solidarity have emerged in response to the refugee crisis. In particular, this essay will con- sider post 2007 Greece following the sovereign debt crisis and the ongoing refugee crisis. Soli- darity rights are relevant to the anthropology of human rights as various crises have lead to ex- panding notions of human rights, humanitarianism and the role of solidarity in respect to these. This essay will not concern itself with the translation of "third generation" solidarity rights within formal international law, instead, the prevalence of social solidarity in the face of structural failure will be the primary focus. The failure of formal bodies and transnational human rights actors to implement human rights creates space for informal social solidarity. This propo- sition will be supported by ethnographic research conducted in post crisis Greece. Greece is an interesting site to consider issues of human rights, solidarity and humanitari- anism. A humanitarian milieu emerged in Greece as a response to the refugee crisis. A failure of larger structural forces, such as the state and other international bodies created a vacuum that was filled by what many Greeks (as well as Vasak) would call "solidarity". In fact, even state repre- Page 1 of 12...