Elements of national security by Abid Hussain

Elements of National Security a presentation for International Relations students at National Defence University Islamabad. By Abid Hussain

1. Presented by Abid Hussain Assistant Library Officer (National Defence University Islamabad Elements of National Security

2. Contents in This Presentation What is National Security Definition of National Security Concept of National Security Various Aspects of Security Elements of National Security Military Security Political Security Economic Security Energy Security Diplomacy Media/Information Base Wholesome View of Security Human Security Food Security Health Security Environmental Security Personal Security Community Security Political Security

3. What is National Security Every nation strives to protect its core values, aimed at enabling people to lead their lives in free and secured environments according to their shared common beliefs by preserving their national identity and sovereignty. A Stable Proposed model of National Security, “national security is an umbrella under which these core values are well protected and promoted through application of well thought out national security strategy.

4. Definition of National Security National security is the ability to preserve the nation's physical integrity and territory; to maintain its economic relations with the rest of the world on reasonable terms; to preserve its nature, institution, and governance from disruption from outside; and to control its borders. Macmillan Dictionary (online version), defines the term as "the protection or the safety of a country’s secrets and its citizens" emphasizing the overall security of a nation and a nation state.

5. Concept of National Security Security is an all inclusive concept that in the modern world takes into account multiple aspects. It has evolved overtime from narrow understanding of security which was more in the realm of defence alone. Generally it considered as the absence of threats. Or in other words this is also understood as the quest for freedom from threat and in the context of states and societies; it is their ability to maintain their own identity and functional integrity against forces of change.

6. Various Aspects of Security The ICG identifies several aspects of security as follows:- National Security, Community Security, Personal Security, Environmental Security and Personal Liberty. However , conceptual understanding and construct does vary with Contemporary interpretation of national security.

7. Elements of National Security Military Security Political Security Economic Security Energy Security Diplomacy Media/ Information Base Wholesome View of Security Human Security Food Security Health Security Environmental Security Personal Security Community Security Political Security

8. Elements of National Security The elements of national security may differ depending upon different viewpoints and percept's. Besides the military aspect of security, the aspects of diplomacy, politics; society; environment; energy and natural resources; and economy are usually discussed. The elements of national security are interconnected with the elements of national power. Security from narcotic cartels, economic security, environmental security and energy security are listed as the non-military elements of national security. The Elements of National Security are mentioned below.

9. Military Security This is traditionally, the earliest recognized and mostly construed form of national security. Military security implies the capability of a nation to defend itself, and/or deter military aggression to its frontiers. Alternatively, military security implies the capability of a nation to enforce its policy choices by use of military force . One of the definitions of security given in the dictionary of Military and Associated Term is , “ A condition that results from the establishment and maintenance of protective measure s that ensure a state of inviolability from hostile acts or influences. Military security traditionally lies at the heart of nation state concept furthered by Westphalia Concept.

10. Political Security The political aspect of security has been offered b y Barry Buzan , Ole Waever, Jaap de Wilde of Copenhagen School of Thought as an important component of national security. Political security is about the stability of the social order . Closely allied to military security and societal security , other components proposed in a framework for national security.

11. Economic Security Economic security contributes to the overall security in a big way. Without ensuring the economic security, other forms of security remain incomplete . The economic security of the people and state is interdependent. In today’s complex system of international trade, characterized by multi-national agreements, mutual inter-dependence and availability of natural resources etcetera, the freedom to follow choice of policies to develop a nation’s economy in the manner desired, forms the essence of economic security . Economic security calls for an assured basic income for the people in a state.

12. Energy Security Energy security and economic security are intrinsically linked to each other as energy assumes the role of lifeline for economic security. 85 % of the country’s estimated 40,000 MW potential remains untapped. At the level of people, the load shedding of electricity and gas has created problems for the people of Pakistan . The provision of these commodities is responsibility of state . Resources include water, sources of energy, land and minerals.

13. Diplomacy Diplomacy is one of the many instruments that a government utilizes in its pursuit of national interests . It never functions in isolation from the other instruments of national power but at times may be emphasized as the situation warrants. In its simplest form, diplomacy is the official means by which one state formally deals with other states. Being an important pillar of statecraft and effective tool amongst the nations to interact with each other, this must be effectively and most judiciously utilized.

14. Media/ Information Base Being the 4thpillar of state, it must provide security to the state against all external and internal anti-state narratives and themes. It is this ability of the media that makes it fight on conceptual, psychological and ideological planes. If media is effective , proactive and responsible, it will augment national spirit and societal bondages. On the contrary, it will weaken the social/ national fiber by spreading more chaos and confusion .

15. Wholesome View of Security It is critical to view national security in a holistic manner. A host of significant threats to the state and society stem from other forms of security in addition to Human Security. Dr. Sania Nishtar has given out several forms of security in addition to the traditional security. Traditional security relates to the security of nation state centered on ensuring survival through use of economic, political and military power and through adroit diplomacy.

16. Human Security One of the important dimensions of national security is human security which is slightly a departure from other forms of the traditional security focusing on the state. Human security has the people as its primary focus. Human security has multiple dimensions i.e. economic security , food security, water security, personal security , community security, environmental and Health Security.

17. Food Security Food security entails that all people of a particular state at all times have easy access to basic food . According to the United Nations, the overall availability of food is not a problem; rather the problem often is the poor distribution of food and a lack of purchasing power prevailing amongst the people.

18. Health Security Health Security covers assurance of minimum protection from diseases and unhealthy lifestyles . According to the United Nations, in both developing and industrial countries, threats to health security are usually more for poor people in rural areas, particularly children. The threats include the dangers emerging from emerging and re-emerging infections and public health emergencies of national and international concern . Non provision of health security is due to malnutrition and insufficient access to health services.

19. Environmental Security Environmental security is linked with energy, food and water security. Environmental hazards accentuate the problems of the people in relation to health, food and energy security of the people . Environmental security aims to protect people from the consequences of nature, man-made threats in nature, and deterioration of the natural environment. Global warming, caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, is another environmental security problem.

20. Personal Security Personal security can be defined as set of several things . “Personal security is the feeling of being secure, having a personal or residential security system, or being aware of your surroundings. Personal security guarantees the subject people from physical violence, both from the state or external actors, from domestic abuse , or from predatory adults. At large the common cause of personal insecurity is due to crimes especially violent crimes.

21. Community Security Community security aims to protect people, their families and belongings as a shared responsibility . The community seeks to protect itself against any kind of violence stemming from ethnic and sectarian angles. Normally minority ethnic and sectarian groups are often threatened . It is the state responsibility to provide security to all communities irrespective of their size and strength.

22. Political Security Political security is about honouring the basic human rights of the people by the state. According to a survey conducted by Amnesty International, political repression, systematic torture, ill treatment or disappearance was still practiced in 110 countries. Human rights violations are most frequent during periods of political unrest.

23. Question & Answer

24. Thank You for your Precious Time