How has our understanding of and approach to human security evolved in relation to the war on terrorism? This paper published by the German Development Institute explores human security as a technology of international governance, examining how the concept facilitates our understanding of populations living in ineffective states. It argues that the war on terrorism has deepened the interconnection between development and security, refocusing aid towards populations, regions and issues seen to present a risk to security.
Human security prioritises the security (welfare, safety, wellbeing) of people, not states. It merges development and security, making the protection of life the referent object. A human security approach sees development, specifically sustainable development, in terms of improving the well-being of underdeveloped populations. The concept of ‘security’ in human security focuses on how internal conflicts affect the livelihoods and social networks of populations. Human security interventions can be understood in terms of biopolitics: an international security technology that aims to enhance the resilience of a non-insured or self-reliant populations. When an ineffective state is unable to ensure the human security of its citizens, it becomes the responsibility of effective states.
The war on terrorism has changed the relationship between human security and global governance. Development and security are no longer regarded as “different but equal” and there is a greater stress on security. Overall:
- There has been renewed concern about failed states and related issues of poverty, development and internal conflict.
- Issues of circulation, of illicit movement of people, weapons and money from and flowing through crisis zones influence development priorities more than the consolidation of global populations.
- The progress made in the 1990s towards affirming human rights has been reversed.
- Humanitarian assistance has been affected by political considerations. In states like Iraq, it has been used for legitimating support for transitional state entities.
- The neutrality and independence of aid organisations has been weakened.
The politicisation of development and humanitarian assistance has raised concerns among independent non-governmental organisations. However, the war on terror has also highlighted the growing inter-connectedness of development and security. This has created fresh opportunities for coordination and centralisation, such as:
- Openings for new players such as financial analysts, bankers, arms control and bio-chemical experts, educators, communications specialists, development planners and religious leaders to help police global circulation of people and money.
- Greater coherence between aid and politics. For example, the links between domestic and foreign departments of government are clearer.
- New potential for interconnecting populations through new datasets, the merging of existing ones and hybrid methods of surveillance.
- New possibilities for considering security of all people as a complex, interconnected whole. For instance, the policing of international migration can be integrated with issues of domestic social cohesion.
