Security can be simply defined as a measure that ensures peaceful coexistence, stability and orderliness, that guarantees the absence of fear, threats, anxiety, tension and the apprehension of losing life, liberty, property or other important goals and values.
Definition/Meaning of Security
Aja say that, «a nation is secure to the extent that it is not in a position to lose core values, lives, properties and liberties, and if it wishes to deter aggression or win war when it is unavoidable».
Therefore, the security concept provides for an enabling environment or atmosphere of good socio-political orderliness in a system. In other words, the relationship between lives, services rendered and security is very important. It serves as a protective measure, medium, substance and shield, or insulator of life from all other dangerous sectors, in order to achieve its ultimate goals and values. No nation or a reasonable society will take the issue of security for granted or carelessly. The classifications of security in this discourse will reveal that all the issues about security cannot be stereotyped and based on military might but encompass all the components of the society. The concept of security can be classified into political security, domestic security, economic security, industrial security or workplace security and human security. Meaning/Discussion of Human Security
Security and Development
The security issue is an essential component of good governance that ensures peace and sustainable development. Insecurity of a country will definitely affect the overall prospects for development, as well as the effectiveness of international assistance provided in other areas. For
Stewart , human insecurity involves poverty and inequality that are root causes of individual vulnerability. Security and development are deeply inter-connected.
Understanding Security
Having defined the term security as a mechanism that ensures absence of threats or a fear of losing life, liberty and property, this section will discuss, the conceptualisation of security and its culture.
First and foremost, there is an assumption that everyone in the society is familiar with what security is and what it entails. However, having a broad knowledge of security is quite different from actual security culture and practice. A security conscious person is expected to have better security reflexes, alertness and agility in actions .
Anyone that is security conscious will be highly sensitive and cautious of anything perceived to be a threat.
Since the issue of security has gone beyond military focus on protection of the territory and sovereignty with the strength of the national defence forces the new concept of security therefore includes the responsibility that ensures the well being of the people. Its new outlook is the transformation of the security system, which encompasses all the actors, their roles, responsibilities and actions, so that it is managed and operated in such a manner that conforms to democratic norms and sound principles of good governance. In view of this, the concept of security can be classified into political, domestic, economic, industrial or work place and human security. These classifications are still subdivided further in this section.
Security is an essential component for good governance and e sustainable development. Recognition is growing that what happens on security has a significant impact on a country’s overall prospects for development as well as the effectiveness of the international assistance provided in the other areas. Many countries and even conflict prone societies now recognise the fact direct measures which are needed to help in improving governance and accountability must include security and conflict prevention. That is why the classification of security in this unit is as follows:
Political Security: The political security of a society, state or nation includes peace building mechanism and good governance; these would serve as conflict preventive measures. Political security could be subdivided further into regional, national, state, regime and community security. Political security encompasses the different measures that enhance stability, orderliness, and even the smooth running of governance.
Regional and International Security: This is a situation whereby security measures are being taken internationally to protect the global populace threats and attacks. It could be human or usual traditional security.
National Security: National security is the ability of a nation to pursue successfully its national interests, as it sees them . «A nation is secure to the extent to which it is not in danger of having to sacrifice core values if it wishes to avoid war, and is able, if challenged, to maintain them by a victory in such a war ». William E. Barber defines «national security policy» as «that part of government policy that has the objective of creating national and international political conditions that are favourable for the protection or extension of vital national values, against existing or potential adversaries.» National security, however, has a more extensive meaning than the protection from the physical harm; it also implies protection, through a variety of means, of vital economic and political interests, the loss of which could threaten fundamental values and the vitality of the state . National security… is best defined as the capacity to control those domestic and foreign conditions that the public opinion of a given community believes necessary to enjoy its own self-determination or autonomy, prosperity, and well-being . Therefore, a nation is secure to the extent that it is not facing the risk of losing its national sovereignty or independence and values, and is able to subdue or combat aggression or win wars that are unavoidable. The nation’s survival is the ultimate goal of its governing institutions, that include individuals, groups, associations, political parties, pressure groups, the military, para-military organisations, etc. A reasonable nation must not see national security as the exclusive duty of the military and paramilitary bodies only, but a shared burden for everyone. That is why every citizen is a national security asset as well as security operative. National security is oriented towards the creation of social harmony, promotion of political understanding, provision and protection of basic needs of the people. A nation’s body comprises the internal and external ministers of affairs, all its security apparatus, such as the military, the police force and the paramilitary forces, state security services, investigation and intelligence bureau, etc. The military phase of national security is to defend the territorial sovereignty and independence of the nation against any threats or aggression from air, land or sea. Good national security can be said to have been attained when the citizens are free from fear, threats of aggression or subversions from within or outside. Healthy and sustainable growth is the mix of polices that support productivity, employment creation, enterprise and human resource development.
The protection of individual welfare is more important than the state
