(Non?) Profits to the Rescue
Studies in Emergent Order, Vol. 7, 2014
Abstract
Evidence strongly suggests that state-led humanitarian interventions are a failure. As an alternative, most point to civil society (non-government) to fill this void in providing relief. Left out of the discussion is the possibility that profit seeking firms can and often do provide additional humanitarian benefits. The purpose of this paper is twofold: 1) to illustrate the inability of non-governmental agencies to deliver adequate humanitarian relief, and 2) to highlight how profit-seeking businesses often find it in their best interest to provide humanitarian type assistance. Combining both findings, this paper concludes that the profit motive not only creates economic but also social value.
Studies in Emergent Order 