Lawson and Human Security Issue 1, 2 and 3
Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach (2008) shared the basic logic of the concept of security which is to be safe from harm. The scholars shared with us that for realist the state is the primary unit of analysis in international relations. Hence, the key motive of states is to protect their sovereignty. Such a view is called the traditional state-centered approach.
North Korea’s nuclear ambition is harmful to South Korea. A nuclearized North Korea will have the fire power to invade South Korea. This will be a serious threat to South Korea’s sovereignty. Thus, South Korea needs the help of its allies like America to counter the North Korean nuclear threat or enhance its security.
One important trend that we need to note is the shift from the traditional state-centric approach to a more expansive understanding of the concept of security, as outlined by Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach (ibid.).
These scholars gave two reasons for the shift:
This understanding of security by Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach (ibid.) leads us to the debate between state security and human security. To help us understand the debate, we consult the wisdom of Lawson (2012). Cited in Lawson, UNDP in a report published in 1994, defined human security in terms of safety from chronic threats such as hunger, disease and repression as well as;
Lawson’s (ibid.) understanding of human security stems from the UNDP report and connects with Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach’s (2008) description of non-military threats. Threats such as environmental problems, populations growth, diseases, refugees, and resource scarcity are connected to Lawson’s (2012) seven human security issues.
According to Lawson (2012: p. 93), the first issue is economic security. She said this issue consists of freedom from poverty. Poverty, generally speaking, is the condition of not having enough. The Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary define the word as the state of being poor (n.d.: 335). Furthermore, the word poor, according to the same source, means having very small amounts of something (n.d.: 332).
The second issue according to Lawson (2012: 93) is food security which means access to basic sustenance. The word sustenance mean nourishing quality of something according to the Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary (n.d.: 436), in our case food.
The citrus case involving Australia and China is a case of food security as well. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C, this nourishing quality makes it important for human consumption. The strategy employed by China is aimed at making sure there is a constant supply of citrus to the country to feed its massive population.
Let us not forget that this issue is outlined in Goal 2 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The UN wants to end hunger by 2030 and ensure people everywhere in vulnerable situations have access to sufficient food all year round.
Lawson’s (2012: 93) third issue of human security is health security. This issue talks about the access to health care and protection from disease.
Our maternal mortality rate and the case of drug resistant Tuberculosis are examples. Australia is now funding PNG through their scholarship scheme to study midwifery in institutions like the Lutheran School of Nursing here in Madang. Such a program will help improve our antenatal heath care.
According to J. Bolgna (personal communication, August 6, 2016), the gynecologist in Madang General Hospital, he advised that Australia has the best antenatal care in the world. It is good that they are helping us via our bilateral relations.
What the Australian Government is doing in partnership with the PNG Government is in adherence to Goal 3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The plan is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
World Vision, the Australian Government and the Department of Health are working in line with Goal 3 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal. The plan is to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030 by increasing health funding and developing the workforce to combat such threats. This is evident in the Australian scholarship program where health is a priority sector.
These are the first 3 issues; the other 4 issues like environmental security, personal security, community security and political security will feature in my next article.
Reference:
Griffiths, M., O’Callaghan, T., & Roach, S. C. (2008). International relations the key concepts (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
Lawson, S. (2012). International relations (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary. (n.d.). Oxford University Press. (Page where the detail of year of publication and place of publication is not available because it was broken).
North Korea’s nuclear ambition is harmful to South Korea. A nuclearized North Korea will have the fire power to invade South Korea. This will be a serious threat to South Korea’s sovereignty. Thus, South Korea needs the help of its allies like America to counter the North Korean nuclear threat or enhance its security.
One important trend that we need to note is the shift from the traditional state-centric approach to a more expansive understanding of the concept of security, as outlined by Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach (ibid.).
These scholars gave two reasons for the shift:
- First being the fact that most violent conflicts in the world today are within states. Group identity and culture are the two factors at stake in many of these conflicts.
- Secondly, the scholars said the capacity of the state to provide security for its citizens has been eroded by a range of non-military threats such as environmental problems, population growth, disease, refugees, and resources scarcity.
This understanding of security by Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach (ibid.) leads us to the debate between state security and human security. To help us understand the debate, we consult the wisdom of Lawson (2012). Cited in Lawson, UNDP in a report published in 1994, defined human security in terms of safety from chronic threats such as hunger, disease and repression as well as;
"protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life – whether in homes, in jobs or in communities".Human security issues outlined in the definition strongly feature in the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. Goal 1, 2 and 3 are the two most obvious goals. Goal 1 talks about ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 2 talks about ending hunger and achieving food security, while Goal 3 talks about ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
Lawson’s (ibid.) understanding of human security stems from the UNDP report and connects with Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach’s (2008) description of non-military threats. Threats such as environmental problems, populations growth, diseases, refugees, and resource scarcity are connected to Lawson’s (2012) seven human security issues.
According to Lawson (2012: p. 93), the first issue is economic security. She said this issue consists of freedom from poverty. Poverty, generally speaking, is the condition of not having enough. The Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary define the word as the state of being poor (n.d.: 335). Furthermore, the word poor, according to the same source, means having very small amounts of something (n.d.: 332).
The second issue according to Lawson (2012: 93) is food security which means access to basic sustenance. The word sustenance mean nourishing quality of something according to the Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary (n.d.: 436), in our case food.
The citrus case involving Australia and China is a case of food security as well. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C, this nourishing quality makes it important for human consumption. The strategy employed by China is aimed at making sure there is a constant supply of citrus to the country to feed its massive population.
Let us not forget that this issue is outlined in Goal 2 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The UN wants to end hunger by 2030 and ensure people everywhere in vulnerable situations have access to sufficient food all year round.
Lawson’s (2012: 93) third issue of human security is health security. This issue talks about the access to health care and protection from disease.
Our maternal mortality rate and the case of drug resistant Tuberculosis are examples. Australia is now funding PNG through their scholarship scheme to study midwifery in institutions like the Lutheran School of Nursing here in Madang. Such a program will help improve our antenatal heath care.
According to J. Bolgna (personal communication, August 6, 2016), the gynecologist in Madang General Hospital, he advised that Australia has the best antenatal care in the world. It is good that they are helping us via our bilateral relations.
What the Australian Government is doing in partnership with the PNG Government is in adherence to Goal 3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The plan is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
World Vision, the Australian Government and the Department of Health are working in line with Goal 3 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal. The plan is to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030 by increasing health funding and developing the workforce to combat such threats. This is evident in the Australian scholarship program where health is a priority sector.
These are the first 3 issues; the other 4 issues like environmental security, personal security, community security and political security will feature in my next article.
Reference:
Griffiths, M., O’Callaghan, T., & Roach, S. C. (2008). International relations the key concepts (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
Lawson, S. (2012). International relations (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary. (n.d.). Oxford University Press. (Page where the detail of year of publication and place of publication is not available because it was broken).
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