Human Security

Traditional State-Centric Security

  • Focus: Nation-state security from external military threats.
  • Core Question: "Is the state secure from invasion or attack?"
  • Actors: Nation-states, military forces, NATO, UNSC.
  • Context: Rise of nation-states and during the Cold War.

People-Centric Human Security

  • Focus: Safety of individuals/communities from pervasive threats (poverty, disease, repression).
  • Core Question: "Are people free from fear and want?"
  • Actors: Individuals, NGOs, UNDP, civil society, etc.
  • Context: Post-Cold War, 1994 UNDP Human Development Report.

Evolution of Security Concepts

Aspect Traditional Human Security
Subject Nation-State Individuals, communities
Threats War, terrorism Poverty, disease, disaster, systemic injustice
Response Military, police Multi-sectoral, preventive, human-centered

Seven Pillars of Human Security

  • Economic Security
  • Food Security
  • Health Security
  • Environmental Security
  • Personal Security
  • Community Security
  • Political Security

Economic Security

  • Ability to meet basic needs sustainably and with dignity.
  • Key Issues: Poverty, unemployment, income inequality, lack of credit access
  • Threats: Recessions, hyperinflation, job automation without safety nets.

Food Security

  • Access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food for an active life.
  • Key Issues: Hunger, malnutrition, food waste, price volatility, sustainability.
  • Threats: Droughts, floods, conflict, pandemics disrupting supply chains.

Health Security

  • Protection from infectious/non-communicable diseases & environmental hazards.
  • Key Issues: Healthcare access, vaccine availability, equity, mental health.
  • Threats: Pandemics (COVID-19), antimicrobial resistance, conflict zones.

Environmental Security

  • Protection from climate change, pollution, deforestation, and natural disasters.
  • Key Issues: Mitigation/adaptation, water scarcity, air/water pollution, biodiversity loss.
  • Threats: Extreme weather (hurricanes, wildfires), sea-level rise, desertification.

Personal Security

  • Protection from physical violence by state, individuals, or organized groups.
  • Key Issues: Violent crime, domestic violence, trafficking, terrorism, police brutality.
  • Threats: Mass shootings, gang violence, targeted attacks on vulnerable groups.

Community Security

  • Protection of cultural identity, traditions, and social cohesion.
  • Key Issues: Discrimination, marginalization, forced displacement, cultural erosion.
  • Threats: Ethnic conflict, religious persecution, gentrification, social unrest.

Political Security

  • Protection of fundamental human rights, freedoms, and political participation.
  • Key Issues: Authoritarianism, corruption, censorship, lack of rule of law.
  • Threats: Suppression of dissent, election interference, erosion of democracy.

Interdisciplinary Analysis Framework

  • Why we must combine:
    • Technical insight
    • Policy and law
    • Ethics and governance
    • Business, design, communication
  • Crisis = convergence of system failures + institutional gaps

Case Studies

What types of crises or threats come to mind when you think about 'security'?

Ask: "How many of you first thought of war or terrorism when I said 'security'?" That’s the traditional mindset. We're here to expand that.

Break into 14 quick groups. Each takes one security pillar and shares a current threat or example (2 mins prep, 1 min report back).

Emphasize: no one field can solve these crises alone. Invite students from different majors to share what they bring to the table.