Spatial-Moral Ordering in the War on Terror: Ungoverned Spaces as a Challenge to Humanitarianism

Abstract

We investigate how processes of spatialisation through military interventions in the War on Terror challenge the theory and practices of humanitarian aid. To elucidate these challenges, we introduce the concept of spatial-moral ordering. We argue that discourses and practices of ordering people and space in the War on Terror and in certain forms of humanitarian aid entail bio/geo-political modes of governing. Their goals mirror each other negatively–one allowing and controlling lives, and the other disallowing them. We reflect on these challenges to humanitarian aid against the background of its increasing securitisation.