Human Security

Abstract

The end of the Cold War over 20 years ago changed perspectives on security in the international community. State continuity as a security goal gave way to security on an individual basis – human security. Focus on human security was seen as a way to ensure security of the international community did not collapse. Human security, as a neologistic international concern created a multidisciplinary field of study that brought factors to security not appreciated during the bipolar environment of the late twentieth century. This chapter provides a broad overview of human security as it developed into an international interest that has seen programs implemented in its name in every region of the world. Human security draws strength through the empowerment of individuals to take local actions in order to mitigate fear and want in their lives. Human security, like any agenda, has its critics in both the international and academic arenas. Critics claim that human security transgresses national sovereignty as United Nations efforts can be taken in the name of the individual over that of the state. Notwithstanding this ongoing debate, human security has survived over two decades to become a powerful focus in the study of international security.