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Conceptualization of Security in 21st Century
Conceptualization of Security in 21st Century
Joseph Nye: security is the dominant concern for states; that force is the major
instrument; that govt preserves their unity as they interact with one another;
security is achieved once threats to security can be prevented or at least
managed.
Security & IR Theories
Liberalism doesn’t agree with the assertion that state is the only supreme referent
object. It argues that state is a mean to ensure security and prosperity of human
beings. Therefore, not balance of power but international organizations, free market
economy and economic interdependence are the ways to guarantee security of not
only individual but also of international order.
Marxism takes a very different position about security and criticises both theories. It
believes that an individual needs many things other than mere security. Social justice
is the most cherished among those.
For critical security studies, as Ken Booth famously claimed, security is what elite
make of it. Scholars belonging to this camp are outspoken of elite class of every
society. They reject the idea of considering state a sacred and supreme entity whose
existence is more important. Instead, they blame state as harbinger of insecurity
because such an idea divides humanity into ‘we’ vs. ‘they’ and ‘foreign’ vs. ‘domestic’.
Besides, they also discard the military means to achieve security and prefer
emancipation of an individual from physical and human constraints. According to Ken
Booth, “War and threat of war is one of those constraints, together with poverty, poor
education, political oppression, and so on.”
Traditionally, states were solely responsible for the security – territory, life, liberty,
property, and to wage war for the defence.
In recent times, wing to Media, Scientific & Technological advancement, and the rise
of Militant NSA, the concept of security has changed.
Hard Security Concepts Soft Security Concepts
Hard Sec. Concepts
8. Change of power centres & Security: Transition of power Centre ( From West
To Asia ) or Multi-polarity has changes the concept of Security Widely. Rise of
Asian Powers, re-emergence of Russia etc.
The concept of inter. Security has moved the focus from states and towards individuals
which emphasises human rights, safety from violence, and sustainable development.
UNDP Human Development Report 1944 enlists 7 dimensions of Human Security
Economic security Food Security
Health Security community security
Environmental security political security
Personal security
Human Rights, Food & Bio-Medical, Refugees & Immigration, Sec of Ethnic
Religious Minorities, Gender Security, protection of Privacy, etc.