By choosing FOUR (4) dimensions of human security, discuss how human security can be
associated with national security

Economic security – According to International Red Cross, the economic security is
the ability of individuals, to cover their essential needs in a sustainable way and with
dignity including the person’s physical needs, the environment and prevailing cultural
standards. Food, basic shelter, clothing and hygiene qualify as essential needs, as
does the related expenditure; the essential assets needed to earn a living, and the
costs associated with health care and education also qualify. If people fail to meet
their economic security, they will face hunger and poverty. Hunger and poverty
contribute to instability at national and pose national security risks for country.
Programs which build food security and reduce poverty help create vital, stable and
resilient communities. When people are not economically secure they involve crimes
including illicit trafficking in drugs, hazardous waste and chemicals, humans,
endangered species, and weapons. This causes the national security to be
compromised and citizens not to feel safe in their country. Further, economic shocks
are strongly correlated with civil conflict. Economic shocks redistribute incomes and
political power and can create incentives for rebellion, while reducing the capacity of
governments to repress or accommodate potential challengers

Food security is the measure of an individual’s ability to access food that is nutritious
and sufficient in quantity. Some definitions of food security specify that food must
also meet an individual’s food preferences and dietary needs for active and healthy
lifestyles. The concept of food security can be broken down into four main
components known as the ‘4 pillars of food security’. First is the availability Availability simply refers to the existence of food within a community. Second is the
access - Simply having enough food in a community means very little if there is poor
access to it. Third is the utilisation - Not all food is of equal or sufficient value. And
lastly is the stability - Good food stability means that access, availability and
utilisation of food remains relatively stable over time. It is important to try to minimise
any threats to this stability.

Food insecurity, especially when caused by higher food prices, heightens the risk of
democratic breakdown, civil conflict, protest, rioting, and communal conflict. The
evidence linking food insecurity to interstate conflict is less strong, though there is
some historical evidence linking declining agricultural yields to periods of regional
conflict. Such conflict damages the national security of the country and can lead longterm threat. Also, Competition over scarce resources, particularly land and water,
often causes or exacerbates communal conflict. Food insecurity is a clear contributor
to political instability and conflict

Environmental security – Environmental security is the state of protection of vital
interests of the individual, society, natural environment from threats resulting from
anthropogenic and natural impacts on the environment. Environmental security is
straightforward and cover such issues as prevention of water pollution, prevention of
air pollution, prevention from deforestation, irrigated land conservation, prevention of
natural hazards such as droughts, floods, cyclones, earthquakes etc. Climate change
may also be considered a national security threat as its long-term effects may bring
disastrous ecological consequences. However, because this is a threat that all
nations face, and because much of the work done to fight climate change is done
through international coalitions, climate change is more often regarded as a global
security issue. The direct effects of climate change are readily apparent around the
world—melting glaciers, rising sea levels, thawing permafrost, longer droughts, hotter
heat waves, persistent wildfires, torrential rains, and catastrophic storm systems.
These effects create disastrous consequences for humans like crop failures, fishery
collapses, water insecurity, and the inundation of coastal regions, all of which lead to
mass migration and displacement. These situations lead to fragile states and regions
where increased conflict over scarce resources allows malign actors thrive. In this
way, climate change is a threat multiplier that touches every aspect of international
security.

Political security is concerned with protection of human rights and well-being of all
people. It also includes protection against people from state repression such as
freedom of press, freedom of speech, and freedom of voting. Abolishment of political
detention, imprisonment, systematic ill treatment, and disappearance are also
covered under political security. When political security is damaged, people’s rights
are violated, the repression state causes people to suffer, and in response people
rebel by creating rebel groups, or forming violent demonstrations or joining extremist
groups. Countries that limit political freedom create an environment that people rebel
and fight back to overthrow the system. This leads the country to and its people to go
into crisis which is very damaging to the national crisis.

Community security on the other hand covers conservation of traditional and
cultures, languages and commonly held values. It also includes abolishment of ethnic
discrimination, prevention of ethnic conflicts, and protection of indigenous people. If
people are marginalized, Marginalisation and social division prevent communities
from living in peace. The outcome of social exclusion is that affected individuals or
communities are prevented from participating fully in the economic, social, and
political life of the society in which they live. This may result in resistance in the form
of demonstrations, protests or even crimes and armed conflicts to terrorism.
In sum up, human security is the cornerstone of national security – when individual humans
are suffer any kind of situations that threaten their live including persistent poverty and
employment, hunger and famine, deadly infectious diseases, unsafe food, malnutrition, lack
of access to basic health care, environmental degradation, resource depletion, natural
disasters, pollution, inter-ethnic and community based tensions, and political repression and
human rights abuses, then the national security of the country becomes risk of collapse.
Without human security, the aggregate security of the people will fragmentate and get
damaged.
Reference:
MacFarlane, S. N., & Khong, Y. F. (2006). Human security and the UN: A critical history. Indiana
University Press.
Mahmud, H., Quaisar, M. M., Sabur, A., & Tamanna, S. (2008). Human security or national security:
the problems and prospects of the norm of human security. J. Pol. & L., 1, 67.
Fullbrook, D. (2010). Food as security. Food Security, 2(1), 5-20.