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Human security’s future in regional cooperation and governance?
Brief about:
Journal Article (2012)
Written by:
This research discusses the complexity of the human security concept. How is it defined and how has it been accepted or rejected in the East Asian region (mostly ASEAN region).
The human security concept, as it emerged in the late 1990s, was perceived as a very broad concept, and has been criticised for a lack of methodological rigor. How has the concept been accepted and internalised by the East Asian region’s elites, and Southeast Asian elites in particular?
The article discusses the potential usage of the human security concept in ASEAN – and some of the problems with the lack of clarity around it – through a retrospective analysis of how the concept was incorporated into ASEAN’s own policy over the first decade of the 21st Century.
My research includes a case study that tracks how the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) has implemented R2P, the right to protect concept. The case highlights the way in which the human security concept has been debated in an East Asian regional forum.
What it means
What is the future of the human security concept in regional governance?
In the case of ASEAN, this research concludes that the human security concept is too broad to function as the UN originally envisaged it. As South East Asian states have been struggling with the democratisation project, and the human security concept embraces human rights within its framework, non-traditional security seems to be far more acceptable to regional leads, as the latter concept has limited its inclusion of democratisation and human rights aspects. With respect to the contemporary situation (2022), the last decade’s development towards increasing regional rivalry and a regression of democracy in the region has only underscored the relevance of the conclusion in this article.
Key findings
- The human security concept is too broad to function as the UN originally envisaged
Proposed action
- ASEAN's policymakers should communicate in clear wording how the concept of human security relates to ASEAN decisions
How is the concept being implemented in the organization's policies?
- It could be interesting to compare the findings in this research with findings from research on other regional organisations, for example African regional organisations
It could be useful for these regional organisations to learn from each other. As the concept of human security allows for a holistic perception of human well-being, this article may also be relevant for research that investigates how regional organisations are facing global health crises like Covid-19.
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to ASEAN
These insights were made available thanks to the support of ASEAN, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Kirsti Sletten for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Kirsti Sletten, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Human security’s future in regional cooperation and governance?
Cite this brief: Curley, Melissa. 'Human security’s future in regional cooperation and governance?'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/human-securitys-future-in-regional-cooperation-and-governance/
Brief created by: Dr Melissa Curley | Year brief made:
Original research:
- Curley, M., ‘Human security’s future in regional cooperation and governance?’ 66(5) (pp. 527–541) https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2011.570242. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2011.570242
Research brief:
This research discusses the complexity of the human security concept. How is it defined and how has it been accepted or rejected in the East Asian region, and ASEAN in particular?
The human security concept, as it emerged in the late 1990s, was perceived as a very broad concept, and has been criticised for a lack of methodological rigor. How has the concept been accepted and internalised by the East Asian region’s elites, and Southeast Asian elites in particular?
The article discusses the potential usage of the human security concept in ASEAN – and some of the problems with the lack of clarity around it – through a retrospective analysis of how the concept was incorporated into ASEAN’s own policy over the first decade of the 21st Century.
My research includes a case study that tracks how the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) has implemented R2P, the right to protect concept. The case highlights the way in which the human security concept has been debated in an East Asian regional forum.
Findings:
The human security concept is too broad to function as the UN originally envisaged
Advice:
ASEAN’s policymakers should communicate in clear wording how the concept of human security relates to ASEAN decisions
- How is the concept being implemented in the organization’s policies?
It could be interesting to compare the findings in this research with findings from research on other regional organisations, for example African regional organisations
- It could be useful for these regional organisations to learn from each other. As the concept of human security allows for a holistic perception of human well-being, this article may also be relevant for research that investigates how regional organisations are facing global health crises like Covid-19.
Extra:
What is the future of the human security concept in regional governance?
In the case of ASEAN, this research concludes that the human security concept is too broad to function as the UN originally envisaged it. As South East Asian states have been struggling with the democratisation project, and the human security concept embraces human rights within its framework, non-traditional security seems to be far more acceptable to regional leads, as the latter concept has limited its inclusion of democratisation and human rights aspects. With respect to the contemporary situation (2022), the last decade’s development towards increasing regional rivalry and a regression of democracy in the region has only underscored the relevance of the conclusion in this article.