Human Security vs. Collective Security?

The concept of Human Security has experienced a wide reception since the 1990s. Existing security assumptions changed fundamentally, state-centered security approaches lost their weight. The principle of Collective Security, which is per definition more concerned about the security and sovereignty of states than about human beings, seemed to be contested. Until now, however, it has never been tried to reconcile both concepts in order to find "common ground". This book attempts to provide insight in the historical development of Collective Security, as outlined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as its restricted usability today. Furthermore, the book summarizes the evolution of Human Security briefly and contrasts the most leading definitions and discourses. Moreover, it will be shown by a combination of qualitative and quantitative means of social research that - although the underlying concepts of peace and security are absolutely different - Human Security is not necessarily different from Collective Security, but rather a part of it. §This book is a must read for every security studies scholar as well as those readers that are interested in Human Security. The concept of Human Security has experienced a wide reception since the 1990s. Existing security assumptions changed fundamentally, state-centered security approaches lost their weight. The principle of Collective Security, which is per definition more concerned about the security and sovereignty of states than about human beings, seemed to be contested. Until now, however, it has never been tried to reconcile both concepts in order to find "common ground". This book attempts to provide insight in the historical development of Collective Security, as outlined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as its restricted usability today. Furthermore, the book summarizes the evolution of Human Security briefly and contrasts the most leading definitions and discourses. Moreover, it will be shown by a combination of qualitative and quantitative means of social research that - although the underlying concepts of peace and security are absolutely different - Human Security is not necessarily different from Collective Security, but rather a part of it. This book is a must read for every security studies scholar as well as those readers that are interested in Human Security.