Security Sector Reform

While classical realists recognize that states exist in an anarchical “self-help” system where they must rely on power to protect and control their existence it is there that they suddenly divorce the state from its domestic civil society as well as any other international actors aside from other nation states proclaiming autonomy in their own political realms. This is in order to “recognize and pursue the interests of the nation [state] as a whole, and not those of particular powerful groups within the community…”. (Grieco, 1997) This comes as no surprise so long as we recall that states are and will always be obsessed with their own national security, their ability to be able to protect and at best advance themselves in whatever capability possible which means having the choice and independent

Following military acts of governmental authority or national warfare, a significant worry arises for nations. As stated in the powerpoint, especially when the state is large and diverse, it is much more likely that it is becomes fragile. The question of whether the nation will need national-building, or state-building has to be determined in the case of military acts. State collapse can be due to the failure of the nation to convey favorable diplomatic benefits to the nation. The collapse of a state can be due to a number of reasons, for example the vast amount of governmental goods. Also, the failure of a nation can be caused by the lack of providing protection and safety, a permissible organization that examines

A leap forward for the Philippines under the federal system of government or a step back

How important was concern over national security as a reason for the introduction of the Liberal reforms between 1906 and 1914?

The readings this week focused on the development programs and assistance regarding fragile states. Most of the articles focused on different eras of security development and fragile states and practical examples such as Afghanistan while the last article, by Stephen Baranyi and Themrise Khan, stepped away from Afghanistan and focused on other fragile states. There were many themes this week, but the ones I want to address in my paper is the western centric approach to stability and security and the disconnect between policy and on ground action due to bureaucratic barriers to securitization. Though there were other themes present in the articles, these three stood out to me as being the most relevant.

I will shed the light on the Security Council which is the keystone of the United Nations system of collective security, and its role in maintaining international peace and security by settling disputes pacifically under chapter VI of the UN Charter and by taking action regarding threats, breaches, and acts of aggression under chapter VII. I will then discuss the several options that Nation states had resorted to in the past to intervene in order to protect civilians. And I will finally highlight the notion of the responsibility to protect which emerged in 2001 and its implication on populations under

For centuries, governments dreamed and had an almost universal hope, about the raise of inter-state systems, to preserve peace amongst potentially antagonistic states;

Global Comprehensive Security Transformation (GCST) made a proposal based on three specific objectives, planning and methodology of operational activities, collection and unifying intelligence, and construction of operational capabilities. GCST offered advice in the following areas, implementation of research methodology, recollection of intelligence with technological capabilities, and the creation of three hierarchical levels of task like National Planning Group, National Planning team, and Implementation. Advance efforts aimed to lead the collection of intelligence on targets of high strategic value, structure the Joint Operation Center, and establish an office for Command and Control Center. Within the proposal specified that in its content,

The shift expanded from protecting the state from external military threats to including an umbrella of new topics revolving around human rights. This also changes the military as the main key institution involved in security by including the criminal justice system and waste management agencies which are liable for crime and environmental dangers respectively. Barry Buzan from the Copenhagen School employ the five political sectors which are military, political, economic, society and environment as the main framework in critical studies that broadened from traditional approaches. Representation of what states should be focusing security on has been widened with wider categories.

All countries are part of a global economy that is constantly trying to develop and progress. Sometimes, however these developmental stages arrive in countries at different times, some later than others. With this lack of development emerges fragile states which may endanger not only themselves and neighbouring states but, also international security, peace, and overall global economy. These unstable countries, riddled with poverty pose an increasing threat towards causing intensified conflicts. To counter these threats and conflicts in attempts to keep and restore peace, international humanitarian interventions are often used. In theory, these humanitarian interventions are foolproof and in a perfect world would easily eradicate poverty. In

Private security is growing rapidly throughout several countries. Usually security is militarized to assist with the rise in criminal activity mostly in the urban areas in Trinidad and Tobago. Although the private security continues to answer the call when it comes to forces of globalization and privatization of the challenges of public security and its limited resources (Anyanwu 2012).

Believe that majority of our police force are good and well-meaning Filipino public servants who went into the service to help our country. If the political leaders for the past 5 years only used our funds properly instead of putting it in their own pockets then that would have been able to develop an elite police force that would be able to handle any type of crisis situation in a very effective manner. Making no excuses for the Aquino administration because like said, they should’ve been in full control the moment the hostage crisis started but in reality they are also inheriting a poorly trained and equipped PNP from the previous administration. Don’t forget that Aquino has been in power for barely two months while Robredo was just appointed as DILG chief in the middle of July. It is with this reason that really appalled by the way two very staunch supporters of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senator Miguel Zubiri and Albay’s Rep. Edcel Lagman, are now trying their darndest best to play hero and pin all the blame on Aquino and Robredo. If they are really serious that they want to help our country and improve our image in the international community, then perhaps they can begin by probing and supporting an investigation on all the anomalies and corruption that happened during their boss’ term.

Policymakers have a range of tools to use in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. While varied in breath and effect, the political, economic, and military tools policy makers use ties to traditional methods of conflict resolution. However, as conflicts have evolved to occupy the larger and more public stages following globalization, so have the tools. Globalization not only increased state-to-state awareness of inequalities in wealth and resources, but also within states; increasing tension along ethnic and tribal lines. (Bercovitch and Jackson, 5) The political, economic, and military tools used in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction present a deeply interconnected method of reshaping a war-torn

In order to increase security and peace in countries around the world, national security cannot be the primary driving force. Governments must integrate human security into their security goals and decision-making. It is shown that in the last decade, most conflicts that have occurred have been within states rather than between states, making most of the causalities civilians. The human security and the safety of individuals is an increasing force in the definition of peace and security throughout the world.

Climate change is becoming a focal point for security and conflict research. Research suggests that violent conflict is affected by climate change and this could become increasingly worse in the future. Barnett, J., Adger, W. (2007) suggest that climate change undermines human security by reducing the access to natural resources that sustain people’s way of life. Climate change also has the capacity to undermine states as well by cutting off the states ability to provide opportunities and services that help maintain life and which help to maintain and build peace in daily life. With access to natural resources diminishing and the state not being able to provide opportunities and services that help maintain life and human security this