[lxegirl]

Hey guys, i am doing my research paper on humanitarian interventions- its a persuasive paper, so i need a question to base my paper around. i know that there are disputes about it, but i don't know where to start really to develop a question out of that... so what question do you guys think that i could use to base an argument off of? Thanks!!!

[venusss]

I think NATO intervention in Kosova is a good example, as it was defined in these term. But at the same time it is controversial as the UN did not give approval for it.

You could look at the situation now and try to write if it a good move or not.

You could say either it was a good move as it helped to oust Milosevic and stopped the immediate conflict...or it was bad because it caused cracks in the NATO-Russia relationship, set precendent for future unapproved invasions (Iraq).

Speech to the U.S. House of Representatives on Foreign Policy (July 4, 1821)

John Quincy Adams

Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.

But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

http://millercenter.org/scripps/arch...es/detail/3484

U.S. foreign policy now as contrasted with what it was in the time of John Quincy Adams has a bearing on the efficacy of humanitarian interventions.

John Quincy Adams also was a major player in the formulation of what became known as the Monroe doctrine. http://millercenter.org/president/events/12_02

[pachyderm]

If you are talking about interventions across national boundaries, the situation is really changing in the direction of more such interventions -- much more so than was the case only a few years, or especially decades, ago. Some countries, of course, such as China and Russia (and the US, if it comes in our direction) really react negatively to it. It seems to me an indication of their lack of self-confidence. The world really is becoming "smaller" in this way, and we cannot as easily avoid "meddling" in each others' affairs.

[lxegirl]

so what do you guys think my question i aim to answer be:
is humanitarian intervention justifiable?
is humanitarian intervention always right?
is humanitarian intervention selfish?

or something else? suggestions?

[venusss]

Can a well meant intervention make the situation worse than better?

(also, I suggest to research "just war").

[kathleen slattery]

I would go with the question: "is humanitarian intervention always right"? And I would touch upon U.S. intervention in Kosovo; whereby the U.S. did intervene and stop the genocide of the Muslim population, plus I might look at the Sudan, and use that to highlight why non-intervention in so many ways is wrong.

Interesting essay lxegirl; you've got lots of themes to play around with there!

[madisgram]

"humanitarian" invasions of other countries in the name of "right" rather than doing humanitarian good for our own peoples.