NGO Moment: The Globalisation of Compassion from Biafra to Live Aid

This book explores how NGOs became the primary conduits of popular concern for the global poor between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s, shaping the West's relationship with the post-colonial world. It provides a unique insight into the social, cultural, and ideological foundations of global civil society and offers a fresh interpretation of how individuals in the West encountered the outside world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This captivating book delves into the profound exploration of compassion as a global initiative, spanning from Biafra to Live Aid. Kevin O Sullivan, in his insightful narrative, unveils the intricate mechanisms through which non-governmental organizations (NGOs) emerged as the primary channels of public concern for the global impoverished population between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s. Through meticulous analysis and comprehensive case studies from Britain, Canada, and Ireland, as well as archival materials from governments and international organizations, Sullivan sheds new light on how the legacies of empire were re-packaged and re-purposed for the post-colonial era. He further delves into how a liberal definition of benevolence, rooted in charity, justice, development, and rights, became the dominant expression of solidarity with the Third World. By undertaking this exploration, the book offers a unique insight into the social, cultural, and ideological foundations of global civil society. It unveils the reasons behind the flourishing of NGOs during this period and provides a fresh interpretation of how individuals in the West encountered the outside world. This captivating work is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of compassion, global engagement, and the enduring impact of historical legacies on contemporary society.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108708548