Human Security and Non-Traditional Security

Introduction

Human security broadens the concept of security from protection of the state to protection of individuals and communities.

The concept gained international prominence in the 1990s, particularly through the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report 1994.

Non-traditional security similarly expands the security agenda beyond conventional military threats to include issues such as health, climate change, food, water, migration and organized crime.

Human Security

Human Security: Protection of individuals and communities from serious threats to their survival, livelihood and dignity.

The concept emphasizes people rather than territory alone.

Traditional vs Human-Centred Security

State-Centred Security: Security approach focusing primarily on sovereignty, territory and state survival.

Human-Centred Security: Approach emphasizing the safety, well-being and dignity of individuals and communities.

Human security does not necessarily replace national security. The two can overlap, particularly where threats to people also affect state stability.

Seven Common Dimensions

The UNDP framework commonly identifies seven dimensions of human security:

Economic Security: Protection against severe economic deprivation and lack of basic income.

Food Security: Reliable access to sufficient and nutritious food.

Health Security: Protection from disease and access to essential health conditions.

Environmental Security: Protection from environmental degradation and ecological threats.

Personal Security: Protection from physical violence, crime, conflict and other threats to individuals.

Community Security: Protection of communities, cultural identities and social relationships.

Political Security: Protection of fundamental rights and freedom from political repression.

Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want

Freedom from Fear: Protection from violence, conflict and physical insecurity.

Freedom from Want: Protection from severe deprivation and lack of basic necessities.

These ideas emphasize different but interconnected dimensions of human well-being.

Non-Traditional Security

Non-Traditional Security: Security concerns that extend beyond conventional military threats and frequently cross national borders.

Examples include:

• Terrorism
• Pandemics
• Climate change
• Food insecurity
• Water scarcity
• Energy insecurity
• Cyber threats
• Organized crime
• Human trafficking
• Forced migration

Transnational Threats

Transnational Threat: Threat that crosses national borders or requires cooperation among multiple countries.

Transnational Crime: Criminal activity involving multiple countries or having significant cross-border dimensions.

Human Trafficking: Recruitment, transportation or exploitation of people through specified forms of coercion, deception or abuse for exploitative purposes.

Drug Trafficking: Illegal international trade in controlled narcotic or psychotropic substances.

Health Security

Health Security: Protection of populations from serious health threats and strengthening of systems capable of preventing and responding to them.

Pandemic: Epidemic disease spread across countries or continents and affecting large populations.

Global Health Security: International capacity to prevent, detect and respond to major health threats.

Health Diplomacy: Use of diplomatic engagement to address health-related international issues.

Food Security

Food Security: Condition in which people have reliable physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.

Food Insecurity: Lack of reliable access to adequate food.

Food Sovereignty: Concept emphasizing communities’ or states’ ability to shape their food systems and food policies.

Water Security

Water Security: Reliable availability of sufficient, safe and accessible water for human needs, ecosystems and economic activity.

Water Scarcity: Condition in which available water resources are insufficient to meet demand.

Water Stress: Pressure on available water resources resulting from demand, quality problems or other factors.

Transboundary Water: Water resources shared by two or more countries.

Environmental and Climate Security

Environmental Security: Protection of people, societies and states from environmental threats and resource-related instability.

Climate Security: Study of how climate change can affect peace, stability, livelihoods and security.

Climate Risk: Potential consequences arising from climate-related hazards, exposure and vulnerability.

Resource Conflict: Conflict associated partly with competition over natural resources.

Energy Security

Energy Security: Reliable and affordable access to energy.

Important dimensions include:

• Availability
• Affordability
• Reliability
• Diversification
• Infrastructure security
• Sustainability

Migration and Human Security

Forced Migration: Movement caused by conflict, persecution, disasters, development projects or other circumstances in which people are compelled to leave their homes.

Refugee: A person who meets the applicable international legal definition of a refugee.

Internally Displaced Person: A person forced to leave their home but who remains within their own country.

Migration Security: Security concerns associated with migration movements, border management, human rights and social stability.

Cyber and Information Security

Cybersecurity: Protection of digital systems and networks from cyber threats.

Information Security: Protection of information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction.

Disinformation: False or misleading information deliberately created or disseminated to deceive.

Human Security and Development

Human security is closely related to development because poverty, inequality, weak institutions and lack of access to essential services can increase vulnerability.

Human Development: Expansion of people’s capabilities and opportunities to live healthy, educated and productive lives.

Vulnerability: Degree to which individuals or communities are exposed and susceptible to harm.

Resilience: Ability to withstand, adapt to and recover from shocks.

Key Distinctions

Human Security vs National Security: Human security focuses on people and communities; national security focuses primarily on the state and its vital interests.

Traditional vs Non-Traditional Security: Traditional security emphasizes military threats; non-traditional security addresses broader social, economic, environmental, technological and transnational threats.

Freedom from Fear vs Freedom from Want: Freedom from fear emphasizes protection from violence and insecurity; freedom from want emphasizes protection from severe deprivation.

Refugee vs Internally Displaced Person: A refugee crosses an international border and meets the applicable legal definition; an internally displaced person remains within their own country.

Water Scarcity vs Water Stress: Water scarcity concerns insufficient available water; water stress is a broader concept that can also reflect demand, quality and management pressures.

Key Terms at a Glance

Human Security | Non-Traditional Security | State-Centred Security | Human-Centred Security | Economic Security | Food Security | Health Security | Environmental Security | Personal Security | Community Security | Political Security | Freedom from Fear | Freedom from Want | Transnational Threat | Transnational Crime | Global Health Security | Food Insecurity | Food Sovereignty | Water Security | Water Scarcity | Water Stress | Transboundary Water | Climate Security | Climate Risk | Resource Conflict | Energy Security | Forced Migration | Refugee | Internally Displaced Person | Cybersecurity | Information Security | Disinformation | Vulnerability | Resilience

Related Glossaries

International and National Security | Climate Security | Water Security | Energy Security | Migration | Human Development | Cybersecurity