My review of Security

Earlier this year I argued National Security is the most important form of security because it allows a uniform quick response to a wide array of issues while protecting the ideals of the country. However, as the class studied different situations of security threats, I soon began to realized there are many instances that either do not have a clear solution or cannot be solved by the national government. For these instances, perhaps a blend of protecting a country’s values in the national security aspect while advocating human security of health and safety could be a better approach.

In my original argument, I believed national security is the most efficient method of security. I cited examples like the issues of Somalian pirates threatening passing ships and the threat of lone wolf hackers that set out to expose a country’s secrets. However, after reading of tragic world events, there are instances when a national government fails to be effective. Instances like the Sierra Leone conflict or climate change are probably situations that the strongest national security in the world is still probably not the most effective response because in these examples a national security cannot assume the difficult problems of combatting the trade of blood diamonds or climate change. There are other security threats like the earthquake in Haiti or human trafficking that a national security approach simply cannot clearly answer. In my original paper, I argued that security directed by the national government is the best approach because it will serve the state’s values, government, and people. However, if its people or NGO’s expand to other parts of the world, these actors will also serve the state’s values for better or worse depending how they act. In fact, after studying events such as the United States government’s failed attempt to relieve the Haitian people’s hardships after the earthquake. When the national government put its own interests before the interests of the people it alters my perceptions of the importance of security to the government. With a national security approach, it seems the government may use its military and diplomatic power to better its own influence instead of always improving the quality of life or eradicating global injustices.

In my mind, a better approach to the global issues may be a humanitarian approach that is concerned with the health and betterment of all people. Situations like climate change refugees, Haitians, or victims of human trafficking do not need a military or law enforcement intervention, but just basic needs like medicine, water, and food. In this case, maybe the national government and military should attempt to better work with NGO’s, the affected population, and humanitarian programs to better provide services to people. In addition, welcoming people affected by these situations gives the government a better understanding of the issue. I think when it comes down to issues pertaining to threats against human life and health, governments that act against the issue need to focus on protecting life and helping victims instead of playing the politics game.