• Security concepts

Security concepts

This discussion paper posits that human security and state security are theoretically mutually supportive. The purpose of the paper is to introduce and explore the connection between human security and urbanization with the aim of galvanizing future research. It explores how rural to urban migration has led to the mushrooming of slums which are home to large populations of the marginalized poor.

Slums, the paper states, are characterized by the absence of public security. When they appear, the police use excessive force in making arbitrary arrests sometimes in collusion with gangs which inculcates distrust between police and the poor communities. The absence of effective law enforcement also leads to the proliferation of arms, armed children, and gangs in urban areas. It fosters an environment in which people are left to fend for themselves. Private security provision emerges in parallel to the public system.  These trends underline the need for robust and effective security sector reform and establishment of community policing to establish mutual cooperation and trust. 

The paper proposes that urban governance is one of the key human security tools that can be used to combat conflict and the failure of public security. It also highlights:

• Weaving local governance and democratic principles into the urban fabric: local governments, through decentralization, should be encouraged to respect the rule of law and empower people by extending decision making to the grassroots, which can contribute towards non-violent conflict management
  
• The role of local governance and democracy in conflict contexts: local democracy is especially important to cities that are in, or emerging from conflict and is critical in post-conflict state security rebuilding
  
• Urban democracy and peaceful change: democratic practices can help to channel urban dissent into less violent forms of political expression like peaceful mass protest against state policies. Globalization, the acceptance of the responsibility to protect civilians, and modern telecommunication have made mass urban protest an alternative to an armed approach 
  
• Building on international action: international organizations including the World Bank have sought to improve local governance and infuse democratic principles at the municipal level and have developed programs aimed at exploring the benefits of local democratization.

The paper concludes that the link between human security and cities is still in its infancy and much work remains to be done to gain a better understanding of the implications of rapid urbanization and the threat it poses to human security.

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