NATIONAL SECURITY OR HUMAN SECURITY

What is more important in the contemporary world,National Security or human security



What is more important in the contemporary world,National Security or human security

This paper discusses, in the contemporary world, what is more important, National Security or human security.

National Security

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on American soil, the world has entered a is new phase, a new fear and a new enemy. George W. Bush making it clear that one is either a friend or a foe and there is no in betweens. The war on Iraq, whether founded or unfounded has divided and bound our country with others, our Prime Minister's sentiments clearly lying with the Americans and American interests. John Howard's strong reliance on the U.S was apparent with his military support for the invasion of Iraq to dispose of Saddam Hussein's regime. With Howard's words of Australia being a good friend of our "great and powerful allies" and that our support of America would strengthen our national security and place in the world. This paper discusses what is more important in the contemporary world, national security or human security?

Human Security

From a human security standpoint, environmental transformations affect standard of living such as health, food, economic capabilities, social elements such as human behaviour and relationships, resource shortages, employment and so on (Soroos, 1999; Barnett, 2007; Bessant and Watts, 1999; Lonergan et al, 1999). Security in relation to valued entities, along with attitudes relating to wealth, poverty and welfare, are all issues considered when individuals and their states reflect on the environment and its importance to our Western culture. This displays a notion whereby the environment is seen as a resource to a certain lifestyle. We hold the environment with such importance to our way of life, however our lifestyles effect negatively on the natural environment. It has been suggested that rich countries contribute to environmental problems through consumption and production markets and developing countries, through their dependence on the land, often exploit any land that is available for crops and farming (Kahl, 2005).

Contemporary World

Globalisation through the prevalence of multinational companies can have both positive and negative consequences on human security (Bessant and Watts, 1999). An example given by Barnett (2007) relates to Timor Leste farmers. The rugged natural environment provides difficulties for farming at the best of times, but with the added stresses of drought, inferior soil quality, lacking water supplies and a onetime poverty-making Indonesian government regime, the farmers are faced with environmental insecurity and therefore experience complexities with providing basic necessities for their own families. A somewhat brighter example of globalisation is the scope of assistance via research and awareness programmes that Environmental Non Government Organisations such as Greenpeace can provide to those states that are vulnerable and in need (Allenby, 2000).

National security, economic security and human security takes precedence over environmental security when it comes to the Government and its view of what is important to its ...