Revisiting Security Essay

Ally Tompkins

Global Security Studies

Professor Shirk

Revisiting Security Essay

After taking Global Security Studies, my opinion on security remains the same: human security is essential for all other types of security and therefore of the utmost importance. Security as emancipation cannot be achieved until the needs of all people are met. Similarly, national security is also reliant on human security, as nations without such resources would likely not be able to defend themselves against large threats. In studying issues of climate change and global pandemics, it is evident that the resources and necessities that people depend on are crucial ins perpetuating the state. Without such essentials, there would be nothing to protect. Ultimately, all people have the right to the necessities that they need in order to live and all other forms of security are dependent on that. Therefore, I would leave my original paper the same, as I highlight the importance of human security.

Learning of the effects of climate change and how it affects nations such as Tuvalu, it becomes apparent that human security is necessary in securing a nation. The degradation of the environment is a global threat to human security. However, certain nations, as seen with Tuvalu, are more directly impacted. Tuvaluans face the issue of being unable to produce food and crops because of the “salinization of the soil” and their water is becoming undrinkable (Lecture 18). For, if people are unable to eat and survive, then there is no nation of Tuvalu. The people cannot focus on building a military or self-defense, but rather they are forced to confront the resource crisis they are currently facing. Similarly, the nation is flooding far more than it used to as a result of the change in climate. If there is no people of Tuvalu (or the situation could be applied to other areas deeply impacted by climate change), then there is no nation of Tuvalu. As my original paper stated, ontological security is also dependent on human security. With the sea levels rising, many residents of Tuvalu are being forced to immigrate elsewhere. As they lose the place they have known as home for their entire lives, they lose their sense of identity. In the video of Ian Fry addressing the United Nations at a climate change conference, he makes a plea for help for the island that he loves. Nations with similar situations to Tuvalu “have been a source region for big numbers of emigrants”(Weber). Thus, there is a threat to the ontological security of the climate change victims, as they are forced to relocate due to a lack of resources. The lack of resources that are necessary for human security then create threats to ontological security and identity. My opinion on human security remains, as it is the foundation of all other branches of security, as it is necessary for the existence of stability.

Much like climate change proves the need for human security, so too do instances of disease across the globe. For example, the Frontline documentary on ebola displayed the significance of human security in issues of health. The healthcare provided to ebola patients in western Africa was not sufficient in helping the health crisis. Instead, the disease was able to spread quickly and rampantly throughout the region. People were not able to receive proper healthcare and thus chaos ensued. With people dying and insufficient care, people were not secure in their homes. At one instance in the video, a woman claims that ebola is not real, but instead it is a cover up for cannibalism by the nurses (Frontline). Such claims led to riots in the streets and storming of quarantined areas, as people began to distrust the government and relief efforts. They too, were then confronted with issues of feeling secure in their respectable environments. Residents had to change their cultural practices and traditions to prevent the spreading of the disease any further. Ultimately, the threat to health care is a human security threat and the inability to provide adequate assistance resulted in chaos throughout the affected regions. I agree with my original claim that death is a threat to people all across the world and without proper healthcare, it becomes a more immediate threat. Nations facing healthcare crises must first consider the issues directly affecting their people prior to considering issues that relate to national security or other forms.

Reflecting on two specific security threats that we discussed in class, I maintain my statement that human security is the most important form of security. There can be no other type of security without the presence of human security, as it ensures the existence of the people and state. Health security and environmental security are significant aspects of human security. It is only after human security is ensured that a state can begin to think about national security and the ontological security of its citizens. Therefore, I would not change my original opinion on security. While it is important to consider the defense and continuation of the state or nation, that is dependent upon the continuation of the people that constitute the area. All variations of humans security, whether it be the environment, health, food, or education, compose the necessities for humans to thrive in their environments. Nothing else matters if there is a failing state of deprived people. My original essay discussed how each type of security is contingent on the existence of human security. Tuvalu and ebola are excellent examples as to how human security is paramount for the stability of the nation.