Human Security Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

While the partition of Africa is widely believed to have sowed seeds of disparity, the colonial policy of divide and rule sharpened ethnic loyalties and made the task of postindependence national integration more difficult. Since... more

While the partition of Africa is widely believed to have sowed seeds of disparity, the colonial policy of divide and rule sharpened ethnic loyalties and made the task of postindependence national integration more difficult. Since independence, many African countries have been torn apart by a vicious circle of repression and sharp cleavages arising from the centrifugal tendencies typical of plural societies. There have been coups and counter-coups as the so called 'liberators' soon resort to a cruel and severe control of real and imagined 'enemy' groups. This has been the trend in Uganda since 1966 when the first Prime Minister, Milton Obote, abrogated the first post-colonial constitution hardly 4 years after independence from Great Britain. This paper looks at the possible role a federal system of government can play in combatting ethnic conflict, political repression and insecurity in Uganda. The paper draws from the research notes of my inquiry into the grassroots perceptions of ethnicity and federalism in Uganda. Can federalism as an organizing principle be a viable solution to political antagonism and the gross socioeconomic and political horizontal inequalities Uganda is experiencing now? Can it also guarantee the peace and security of the ordinary people in their respective tribal areas? Views from conversations with selected samples of ordinary people in at least ten different tribal areas of the country reveal that ethnic federalism, a recognition of Uganda's indigenous peoples and their indigenous systems of governance, is seen as one possible way of restoring and guaranteeing accountability in national politics.

This edited volume introduces the political, social and economic intra-Kurdish dynamics in the Middle East by comparatively analyzing the main actors, their ideas, and political interests. As an ethnic group and a nation in the making,... more

This edited volume introduces the political, social and economic intra-Kurdish dynamics in the Middle East by comparatively analyzing the main actors, their ideas, and political interests. As an ethnic group and a nation in the making, Kurds are not homogeneous and united but rather the Kurdish Middle East is home to various competing political groups, leaderships, ideologies, and interests. Although many existing studies focus on the Kurds and their relations with the nation-states that they populate, few studies analyze the Kurdish Middle East within its own debates, conflicts and interests from a comparative perspective across Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. This book analyzes the intra-Kurdish dynamics with historically-grounded, theoretically-informed, and conceptually-relevant scholarship that prioritizes comparative politics over international relations.

This presentation captures the historical adaptation of medieval warriors’ methods for security and thwarts toward adversarial attacks on fortifications for protective areas. History can often be a good teacher for modern day designers... more

This presentation captures the historical adaptation of medieval warriors’ methods for security and thwarts toward adversarial attacks on fortifications for protective areas. History can often be a good teacher for modern day designers for security protection because the evolution of human beings has not changed since the beginning of time. Applicable lessons are applied to all aspects of security to include physical, technical, personnel, information and operational security. The article provides examples of the original concept of access controls, vaulted areas, chemical warfare, and the origins of physical security.

This study aims to identify regions in the Zambezi River Basin in Southern Africa that are prone to risk of violent conflicts (collective violence, popular unrest) induced by climatic changes/variability. The Zambezi River is 575... more

This study aims to identify regions in the Zambezi River Basin in Southern Africa that are prone to risk of violent conflicts (collective violence, popular unrest) induced by climatic changes/variability. The Zambezi River is 575 kilometres long and the basin covers eight coun- tries: Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Mo- zambique and Namibia.Besides the ecological impact, the study argues that socio-econom- ic and political problems are disproportionately multiplied by climate change/variability. Climate change/variability amplifies stresses on the socio-political fabric because it affects the governance of resources, and hence, is linked to the weakened mitigation and adaptation capac- ity of societies, that are already facing economic challenges (rising food prices, etc.). Society becomes highly vulnerable to climate induced con- flicts when it suffers from poor central leadership, weak institutions and polarized social identities. Taking all these factors into consideration, this study identifies Bulawayo/Matableleland-North in Zimbabwe and the Zambezia Province in Mozambique as the most likely regions to experience climate induced conflicts in the near future. The reasons for arriving at this conclusion are: a) Climatechange/variability will have a significant impact on these two regions; due to increasing water scarcity in Bulawayo/Matabeleland- North; and intensified flooding, sea-level rise, and costal erosion in the Zambezia Province. b) Due to climate change/variability, agricultural production in these two regions will become highly volatile, leading to severe food insecurity. c) Both regions are suffering from low quality political governance, having unscrupulous elites, weak institutions, and polarized social identities.

Dr David Roberts argues that matters normally prioritized as security issues in international politics, such as terrorism and nuclear weapons, cause very limited harm, and that preventable global infant and maternal mortality, counted in... more

Dr David Roberts argues that matters normally prioritized as security issues in international politics, such as terrorism and nuclear weapons, cause very limited harm, and that preventable global infant and maternal mortality, counted in the millions, is dismissed from security agendas by policy makers, who are mostly white, mostly male, and mostly secure. He will argue that the security needs of the most vulnerable do not resonate with the people who determine what security those people can have; and that international law does not apply to the public institutions which most undermine human security. Dr Roberts will propose a fast-working solution to this dilemma that will reduce the scale of deaths substantially almost overnight, and will identify the means by which this change can be effected.

The new century has witnessed unprecedented efforts by both international institutions and mental health movements to promote and prioritise mental health at the same level as other priority health issues, especially HIV/AIDS. The release... more

The new century has witnessed unprecedented efforts by both international institutions and mental health movements to promote and prioritise mental health at the same level as other priority health issues, especially HIV/AIDS. The release of the highly influential Lancet series on global mental health in 2007 highlighted these efforts, and the slogan “no health without mental health” became widely known. Despite success in developed regions, mental health and illness have been largely neglected in lesser developed areas made up mostly of low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs). This preliminary research explored the efforts to prioritise mental health through securitisation and attempted to determine why such efforts are not successful in LAMICs regions, focusing on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a case study. According to our findings, a primary reason mental health is not prioritised in ASEAN is the difference in the values and social norms of LAMICs versus liberal-Western values and norms. These liberal-Western values and norms are the root of securitising, prioritising efforts. Securitisation can be considered a humanitarian effort, because the process is grounded in moral arguments and a universal value of human rights and dignity. For such securitisation efforts to succeed, however, a region must share the values at its roots. The final recommendation is that mental health advocates find a more pragmatic strategy in order to make the efforts workable within LAMICs regions.

On November 24, 2021, Mr. Stephen Anning presented on Operationalizing Human Security in Contemporary Operating Environment at the 2021 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The key points of discussion included the concept of human... more

On November 24, 2021, Mr. Stephen Anning presented on Operationalizing Human Security in Contemporary Operating Environment at the 2021 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The key points of discussion included the concept of human security, the differences between interstate and intrastate conflict, the challenges of understanding human security, and how operationalizing human security can address some of those challenges. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives.

The article informs on the policy of the government of Caribbean for ensuring human security. It is mentioned that security is related to the protection of the people from internal and external threats and ensuring their well being. As... more

The article informs on the policy of the government of Caribbean for ensuring human security. It is mentioned that security is related to the protection of the people from internal and external threats and ensuring their well being. As the country has decreased its trade barriers, it has become more prone to illicit drugs trade, illegal immigration and criminal activities. Also, the climatic changes like hurricanes, and earthquakes have increased the country's problems for human security.

The article attempts a comprehensive review of the human security concept in order to question its utility for both research and policy-making. It notes the term’s interdisciplinary and extensively normative content that have facilitated... more

The article attempts a comprehensive review of the human security concept in order to question its utility for both research and policy-making. It notes the term’s interdisciplinary and extensively normative content that have facilitated its evolution into a successful security discourse. On the other hand, human security’s wide appeal has as a side-effect an extended conceptual polysemy inhibiting the cumulation of knowledge and the development of a relevant theory. Absence of conceptual clarity has also complicated its policy implementation. The article attempts to break the deadlock and move the debate forward by using the work of John Gerring and Paul A. Barresi on concept formation as an organizing device.

The very name Myanmar brings to mind a precarious picture of human insecurity. It is the land where the world’s most persecuted minorities still struggle to survive; and, it is the theatre where the longest-ever civil war in the world has... more

The very name Myanmar brings to mind a precarious picture of human insecurity. It is the land where the world’s most persecuted minorities still struggle to survive; and, it is the theatre where the longest-ever civil war in the world has been staged since 1948. Murder of people, rape, violence, and, censorship of the press, etc., are common scenes in the country. A Nobel laureate (for peace in 1991) Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi who brought hopes to Myanmar assuring resolution of all such issues through democracy, could not do something substantial, and she is now languishing in detention. Despite international pressure and sanctions, the Military Junta (called Tatmadaw) is still in the seat of power at Nay Pyi Daw dislodging a democratically elected government led by Mrs. Kyi that won the elections held in November last year by staging a coup d’état in February 2021. However, literature in this regard (i.e. human security) is scantily comprehensive and scarcely suggestive of recourses to be taken. Against this background, this paper looks into these developments and suggests the way forward to secure the security for the insecure. This paper argues that Militarism and Majoritarian Nationalism are responsible for this state of affairs in Myanmar.

Thinking about the nexus between resource governance, climate change and security? Indeed, there are implications on a Global North and Global South lens. This piece addresses these thematic interconnections and other pieces in the puzzle... more

Thinking about the nexus between resource governance, climate change and security? Indeed, there are implications on a Global North and Global South lens. This piece addresses these thematic interconnections and other pieces in the puzzle using Nigeria and Norway as case studies.

To attain sustainable development goals in South Asian region it is essential to involve women participation. And in the case of protecting environment the participation of women should increase rapidly. UN women commission 46 th session... more

To attain sustainable development goals in South Asian region it is essential to involve women participation. And in the case of protecting environment the participation of women should increase rapidly. UN women commission 46 th session stressed about the in women participation in protecting environment. This paper focuses on the 13 th sustainable development goal that is climate action, especially the role of women during and after disaster. It also includes the suggestions how to improve women contribution and participation on climate action. As they are the most vulnerable group are most at risk from climate change. The impacts are already a daily phenomenon for women in disaster prone regions. We have seen the strong participation of women in managing the post disaster trauma in Bangladesh and Tamil Nadu India. They use their natural management role with their experiences and traditional knowledge as managers of many natural resources; women can offer valuable intuition into better managing the climate and risks. So they have the right to engage in decisions with subtle ramifications for people and the planet. In rural disaster prone areas it is needed to increase the resilience strategy through the strong women participation.

The paper describes the process of security sector reform in Guatemala with reference to the efforts to implement community-based policing practices. The results point to the difficulties of shaking-off public understandings of security... more

The paper describes the process of security sector reform in Guatemala with reference to the efforts to implement community-based policing practices. The results point to the difficulties of shaking-off public understandings of security honed during the armed conflict and underscore the efforts of a still young police institution to position itself in a democratic context. The study posits that community-oriented policing strategies open opportunities to forward police reform in the high-violence, low-trust, weak-institutions, and post-conflict context of Guatemala. The argument is supported by field data gathered in indigenous territories in the Western Highlands, where traditional forms of social organization persist, and in metropolitan Villa Canales municipality, an urban, high-violence site of research.

On February 6 2007, former President George W. Bush officially announced the decision of his government to create a Unified Combatant Command for Africa, known as U.S. Africa Command or AFRICOM, which became activated as a full-fledged... more

On February 6 2007, former President George W. Bush officially announced the decision of his government to create a Unified Combatant Command for Africa, known as U.S. Africa Command or AFRICOM, which became activated as a full-fledged unified combatant command on October 1 2008. The intention was that this new security organ would have responsibility for all African countries except Egypt, which remained under the supervision of the Central Command (CENTCOM). 264

Terörün küresel bir nitelik kazandığı dönemde terörizmi tetikleyen ya da şiddetlenmesi noktasında uygun ortam hazırlayan koşulların belirlenmesi sürdürülebilir bir barış ortamının sağlanması için hayati önem taşımaktadır. Ulus devlet... more

Terörün küresel bir nitelik kazandığı dönemde terörizmi tetikleyen ya da şiddetlenmesi noktasında uygun ortam hazırlayan koşulların belirlenmesi sürdürülebilir bir barış ortamının sağlanması için hayati önem taşımaktadır. Ulus devlet modelinin kusurlu bir versiyonu olarak tanımlanan başarısız devletler terörist grupların yuvalanabilecekleri güvenliksiz alanlar ile kriz bölgelerini oluşturmaktadır. Dünya barışını en çok tehdit eden unsur devletler arasındaki silahlanma yarışından ziyade terörün önlenemez yükselişi ve başarısız devlet olgusunun yıkıcı etkilerinin yayılmasıdır. Kabile toplum yapısının hakim olduğu Somali'de 1991 yılından itibaren merkezi otorite ülke genelinde zayıflamıştır. Sömürge mirasından modern devlete geçiş aşamasında başarısızlığa uğrayan ülke iç savaş, açlık, terör gibi kavramlarla özdeşleşmiştir. Somali'de devlet mekanizmasının kusurlu olması, nüfusun geniş kesiminin siyasi ve ekonomik haklarından mahrum olması ya da havaalanları ve sınırların denetle...

This research aimed to analyze moral implications towards the practice of economic sanctions as a tool in conducting foreign policy. Observing through the moral aspect, the study based on human security concept which encouraged that the... more

This research aimed to analyze moral implications towards the practice of economic sanctions as a tool in conducting foreign policy. Observing through the moral aspect, the study based on human security concept which encouraged that the most important morality was the upholding in the practice of non-violation of positive individual security. Also this practice should be applied in all economic, social and political fields regardless of the situations. The study found that the imposing of economic sanctions were inconsistent with the morality; the reasons claimed by the states which imposed the sanction (the sanctioner) seemed to be contradict to the means and effects. Moreover, the sanctions have achieved only the slightest aims. On the other hand, they caused difficulties towards people in the target states. The explicit cases could be seen from the United Nations economic sanction towards Iraq and the US economic sanction towards Myanmar.

Les mouvements migratoires africains, de plus en plus croissants, sont majoritairement intra-continentaux, et bien souvent régionaux. C’est pour cette raison que l’Union africaine, en coordination avec les organisations régionales, ont... more

Les mouvements migratoires africains, de plus en plus croissants, sont majoritairement intra-continentaux, et bien souvent régionaux. C’est pour cette raison que l’Union africaine, en coordination avec les organisations régionales, ont adopté une feuille de route ainsi qu’un grand nombre de politiques et de cadres juridiques et normatifs en la matière depuis le début des années 2000. Cependant le tout nouveau Cadre de politique mi-gratoire pour l’Afrique révisé et plan d’action 2018-2030 (MPFA) annonce un changement de paradigme impor-tant : le passage d’une sécuritisation de la question migratoire à une progressive désécuritisation de celle-ci.

'Haven' offers a transformative understanding of security in responding to the Mediterranean refugee crisis by drawing critically on the UN concept of ‘human security’. From a range of Arts, Humanities and Social Science disciplines, and... more

'Haven' offers a transformative understanding of security in responding to the Mediterranean refugee crisis by drawing critically on the UN concept of ‘human security’. From a range of Arts, Humanities and Social Science disciplines, and through case studies incorporating key governmental, NGO and refugee perspectives, the book critiques the major geopolitical, economic and social issues of the crisis. It documents the prioritisation of population management techniques that are underpinned by conventional territorial logics of security, before reflecting on the alternative priorities of human security that can facilitate an active human rights framework and a more holistic and humanitarian interventionism. In advancing a human security approach to the crisis, the book insists upon our interconnected global sense of precarity, interrogates the human consequences of the endless cycles of conflict and displacement, and challenges the impoverished thinking of statist security agendas that divide the world into zones of sanctuary and abandonment.

In today's world, data is generated at a very rapid speed and final destination of such data is database. Data is stored in database for easy and efficient way to manage these data. All the operations of data manipulation and maintenance... more

In today's world, data is generated at a very rapid speed and final destination of such data is database. Data is stored in database for easy and efficient way to manage these data. All the operations of data manipulation and maintenance are done using Database Management System. Considering the importance of data in organization, it is absolutely essential to secure the data present in the database. A secure database is the one which is reciprocated from different possible database attacks. Security models are required to develop for databases. These models are different in many aspects as they are dealing with different issues of the database security. They may different also because of they are taking different assumptions about what constitutes a secure database. So, it becomes very difficult for database security seekers to select appropriate model for securing their database. In this paper, we have discussed some of the attacks that can be possible with its counter measures and its control methods that can be possible. Securing database is important approach for the planning of explicit and directive based database security requirements. Ensuring security for database is very critical issues for the companies. As complexity of database increases, we may tend to have more complex security issues of database.

We would like to inform you that your article entitled " Towards a Planning Framework for Philippine Regional Development and Security " submitted to the Journal in Urban and Regional Planning (JURP) has been reviewed, and the article was... more

We would like to inform you that your article entitled " Towards a Planning Framework for Philippine Regional Development and Security " submitted to the Journal in Urban and Regional Planning (JURP) has been reviewed, and the article was evaluated using the following criteria: Criteria Description of Rating Scale Rating

This chapter identifies and explores the linkages between the changing human security of societies in the Sahel and the decision by individuals and groups of these societies to embark upon the dangerous route across the Sahara and into... more

This chapter identifies and explores the linkages between the changing human security of societies in the Sahel and the decision by individuals and groups of these societies to embark upon the dangerous route across the Sahara and into the Mediterranean Region. Specifically, the lens is focused on those who live in the most fragile and marginal regions of the Sahel-Saharan band, in other contexts known as the pastoral zone in Niger, a country that shares its northern border with the currently politically unstable state of Libya. In this part of Niger, households are dependent upon a temporary form of rural-to-urban migration, which has been considered a tradition for more than a century. Yet, the key problems facing the rural system that dominates the nation’s economy are being exacerbated by uncertain and variable rainfall, the precarious, unequal, and haphazard development of the pastoral system, short-sighted governance and limited protection of ecosystems, and terms of trade that favor exploitation of smallholders. Drought emerges as the most critical factor to smallholders (pastoralists) who attempt to adapt to the climatic shocks through the only economic and institutional means available. For many this means migration for some or all family members. In critical times, those who stay behind become ‘trapped’ in their home territories and dependent upon remittances from migrants and the trickle-in of humanitarian aid. The desperation and exasperation of Sub-Saharan migrants has been evident in current times. These complex factors form the basis of the context in which we will present the perspective of the migrants from their « trapped » families in Niger, exploring migration decisions and perceptions of the social and ecological changes to the rural system. The changes occurring in the Sahelo-Saharan zone indicate social and ecological tipping points for the rural populations, which foreshadows an increase of migration in the near future.

Chưa bao giờ vấn đề an ninh con người lại được đặt ra cấp thiết với một diện rộng trên quy mô toàn cầu như hiện nay, khi những biến động lớn đang diễn ra trong thời gian đây trong nhiều lĩnh vực: khí hậu, năng lượng, tài chính hay sắc tộc... more

Chưa bao giờ vấn đề an ninh con người lại được đặt ra cấp thiết với một diện rộng trên quy mô toàn cầu như hiện nay, khi những biến động lớn đang diễn ra trong thời gian đây trong nhiều lĩnh vực: khí hậu, năng lượng, tài chính hay sắc tộc tôn giáo…., đã làm thay đổi về cơ bản diện mạo các nền kinh tế trên thế giới, kéo theo nhiều vấn đề xã hội nghiêm trọng. Đặc biệt, chúng ta đang đứng trước thềm của Hội nghị Thượng đỉnh về biến đổi khí hậu (BĐKH) tại Copenhagen (Đan Mạch) trong tình huống hết sức khẩn cấp, thì mối quan tâm lớn nhất của loài người lúc này đều được tập trung vào sự nỗ lực ứng phó của các quốc gia trước những tác động dài lâu của nó. Báo cáo Phát triển con người 2007/2008 có nhan đề: Cuộc chiến chống biến đổi khí hậu trong một thế giới ngăn cách, đã gọi BĐKH là một “kẻ hủy diệt dấu mặt” đang tiềm ẩn những “hiểm họa song trùng” đe dọa an ninh con người và sự tồn vong của các nền văn minh trên thế giới trong cả hiện tại và tương lai.

This paper emanates from a study on the differences in the use of nonverbal communication cues and other cultural practices between the cultures of black indigenous Zambians and white Westerners. Furthermore, the study investigated the... more

This paper emanates from a study on the differences in the use of nonverbal communication cues and other cultural practices between the cultures of black indigenous Zambians and white Westerners. Furthermore, the study investigated the implications of these differences. The exploratory research design was adopted using qualitative approached to carry out the research. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data, using a video recorder to capture the discussions. The focus group comprised of 6 black indigenous Zambians and 6 white Western migrants living in Zambia. The collected data was then transcribed from the video records and analysed using thematic analysis. The conclusion to this study was that there were differences in the use of certain nonverbal communication cues by black indigenous Zambians and white Westerners informed by their individual cultures. When not managed, these differences tend to negatively impact communication between people of the two cultures.

The concept of human security has received widespread attraction from scholars of security studies and international relations. In West Africa however, the preoccupation of ECOWAS for long has been on efforts to save the collapse of state... more

The concept of human security has received widespread attraction from scholars of security studies and international relations. In West Africa however, the preoccupation of ECOWAS for long has been on efforts to save the collapse of state structures such that more attention has been on its military intervention. This review covers studies on human security in West Africa and ECOWAS efforts at tackling human security threats in the sub-region. It particularly looks at the literature relating to the triad interrelated human security threats of arms trafficking, drug trafficking and trafficking in persons (TIP) and ECOWAS efforts in addressing them. It observes in the end that the extant literature has covered several aspects of human security in West Africa but recommends the need for a study that highlights the interrelatedness of these threats. This will help shape the direction of policy especially for the sub-regional body and its impact on the security of its people.

The evolvement of human security was a long-term process, which escalated in early 90s, mainly due to increasing number of intra-states conflicts and deepening the gap between „western“ world and the „third“ world. Its further development... more

The evolvement of human security was a long-term process, which escalated in early 90s, mainly due to increasing number of intra-states conflicts and deepening the gap between „western“ world and the „third“ world. Its further development was however significantly influenced by the international environment and the number of supporters among states. After NATO airstrikes in Kosovo it became the integral part of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine, thus indivisibly connected to the concept of humanitarian intervention. Later the development in international relations influenced the popularity of the concept in opposite way. This paper will argue that human security paradigm has much more to offer and be related with than only negatively perceived humanitarian intervention and will focus on whether human security provides legitimate and legal justification for humanitarian intervention.