N on -T raditional N otions

N on -T raditional N otions Non-traditional notions of security go beyond military threats to include a wide range of threats and dangers affecting the conditions of human existence. They begin by questioning the traditional referent of security. In doing so, they also question the other three elements of security — what is being secured, from what kind of threats and the approach to security. When we say referent we mean ‘Security for who?’ In the traditional security conception, the referent is the state with its territory and governing institutions. In the non-traditional conceptions, the referent is expanded. When we ask ‘Security for who?’ proponents of non-traditional security reply ‘Not just the state but also individuals or communities or indeed all of humankind’. Non- traditional views of security have been called ‘human security’ or ‘global security’. Human security is about the protection of people more than the protection of states. Human security and state security should be — and often are — the same thing. But secure states do not automatically mean secure peoples. Protecting citizens from foreign attack may be a necessary condition for the security of individuals, but it is certainly not Now we are talking! That is what I call real security for real human beings. The cartoon comments on the massive expenditure on defence and lack of money for peace-related initiatives in the US. Is it any different in our country? © Andy Singer, Cagle Cartoons Inc.