HUMAN SECURITY vs STATE SECURITY

1.

Presently, particularly in last fifteen to twenty years, the term security has been

vigorously discussed, defined and re-defined. All this brainstorming sessions have
generally been aimed at finding out: What all is needed to be safeguarded
(intellectually and practically) within the realm of security paradigm and conventions of
security studies? The state, ofcourse, has been centre of the focus. However, the
security no longer means military issues only rather its domain has expanded to include
the economy, the environment, health, gender, and culture etc. Interestingly, the
traditional sole focus of security, the state, is being questioned now for its rationale on
the basis of inclusion of other referent subjects. This discussion not only encompasses
regional and global identities but also the society and distinct groups within it going
downwards till the individual human being.
2.

In contrast to the national security which deals with defence of the state from

external aggression, Human Security is about protecting individuals and communities

from any kind of political violence and social evil. Although Human Security and national
security are complementary to each other yet secure states cannot be synonymous to
secure people. Meaning thereby that although safety of citizens from foreign aggression
is a necessary condition for the individuals security yet it is not a sufficient one.
3.

Economic progress is closely linked with Human Security too. Proponents of

Human Security argue that economic development is a precursor to achieving Human

Security, while others suggest that ensured Human Security will result in to creating
conditions for sustained economic activity and thus economic development. Human
Security is fluid in nature, and definite definitions of the model are not static, especially
when compared to the relatively stable academic concepts and policies of the national
security model. Because both critics and advocates of Human Security vary in where
they place the exact definitional boundaries of the concept. Disagreements exist as to
how broadly Human Security can and should be applied. The model is clearly meant to
cover a broad range of threats.
4.

There are many other facets of this concept which definitely vary from society to

society. There is no universal formula as to what constitutes Human Security; therefore

people will identify their security as coming from their particular needs. However it is

quite evident from the above discussion that neither the strong states nor the sound
economy ensures Human Security. Thus the states need to develop set of laws which
can ensure the safety and security of all their dwellers from all kinds of calamities; may
they be natural or man-made.