Security is considered one of the most ambiguous in terms of definition and scope even though it is clear that it is vital for human existence. Historically, the term is associate with the state and how it is able to defend itself from external attacks or how it protects its people internally. Human security is not a concern with military arsenals and nuclear armament, but it is rather about human life and dignity as well as the conditions that allows the individual to thrive be it access to social, political, economic and environmental fulfillment.
In modern liberal era, the concept of security has become the basic needs especially after the cold war. After the cold war, modern liberal societies has shift their attention from national security to human security where efforts and resources are channeled to improve on the well beings of their citizens. There’s no doubt that there’s a correlation between human security and development because, no State can experience development and rapid growth amidst insecurity and chaos. Thus, the cornerstone for development and growth is based on security.
The prioritization of human security would results in human welfare development and would also mean that, some key components of sustainable development such as environment, social, and economic development would be achieved. If the motive of human development is to “enlarge people’s choices” then human security would be the ideal means to achieve human development since it is human centered and has the ability of creating social, economic and environmental development. The unbearable hardship brought about as a results of the Covid-19 show the need for all countries to prioritize human security issues. I believe some aspects of human security issues needs to be looked at and tackle well since it has multiplicity effects.
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Elimination of poverty is essential in human security because it has a connection with some of the sustainable development goals. Poverty is a buzz word that defies unanimous definition and is very central in human development. Poverty is more than the lack of or inadequate income; there are multiple of deprivations which inflict some people with miserable living conditions thus, debasing their dignity as human beings. Poverty is a human security issue that stands in the way of other SDG goals such as freedom and environment. For example, a poor person would not care about climate change or the environment when cutting trees to burn charcoal to earn money. The ideas of eliminating poverty as human security concept, would to only solve the issue of internal conflicts within a particular state but would also help bridge the gap between the haves and haves not thus, improving human welfare.
The promotion and protection of human rights is the most basic needs of every man because such rights are inalienable and for that matter should not be restrained by law. In fact for human welfare to develop and improve, then the issue of protecting human rights should be taken serious because people cannot leave in fear or in a state where there’s anarchy. When there is protection of human rights, citizens are able to express their bottom-up feelings be it in an election or political issues without the fear of being victimize.
Preservation of the environment is also important in human welfare development because the environment serves as the natural habitat of man and animals in the ecosystem. Protecting the environment would mean that there are strict laws and regulation on emission of GHG and other harmful products released to the environment due to man’s action. One cannot overlook man’s intrinsic dependence on the environment so, it will be imperative for man to protect and preserve the environment for future generations to come and use as well.
In conclusion, the concept of human security as started by the liberals after the post-cold era is the most ideal means to achieve human welfare development due to its centrality on human potentials. This shows that for the welfare of humans to be met, then there’s the need to shift attention to human security that serves as the nexus for sustainable development. Human security dimensions has indeed justify the reason why government must not waste money on territorial defense alone but must also allocate enough resource into improving the lives of its people and not just military arsenals. The importance of human security cannot be overlooked especially when most of the SDGs are based on human security and its concept. Prioritization of human security by any nation would mean that basic welfare needs that relates to development are catered for by the nation. The moment we neglect human security, the world would not know peace since the pre-requisite for peace if self fulfilment.
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