Human Security in the Global Economy – serie

Recent debates surrounding human security have focused on the satisfaction of human needs as the vital goal for global development. Peter Wilkin highlights the limitations of this view and argues that unless we incorporate an account of human autonomy into human security then the concept is flawed. He reveals how human security is a concern with social relations that connect people in local, national and global networks of power, structured through capitalism and hierarchical inter-state systems. Autonomy, as an aspect of human security, depends upon the ability of citizens to gain information about the processes that shape their lives. In this respect autonomy and communication are inherently linked and are prerequisites for the establishment of meaningful democratic systems.

This book argues that the global development and security agendas are merging. No longer is the language of security confined within the straitjacket of the state and associated national security concerns. The spotlight is shifting to the legitimate security concerns of human beings. The book examines how development is promoted by global governance institutions and how this has impacted on human security in the 1990s. Caroline Thomas focuses on the effects of trade, finance, and investment liberalisation on deepening inequality. She explores different approaches for addressing the deepening inequality which threatens the economy at all levels, from the household, to the community, to the global. The book investigates reformist and transformist visions of the future and the contrasting policies tabled for their achievements. Thomas argues that ultimately human security requires a different developmental strategy.

In the past, violations of human rights were commonly portrayed as atrocities perpetrated by tyrannical dictatorships. Today, the images of torture at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, and the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, put the lie to this assumption. State violations of human rights have a global reach.Tony Evan's introduction to the politics of human rights examines the impact of globalisation on global human rights. He argues that the state’s role in protecting and promoting rights has been severely weakened under globalisation – and that the emerging global order may be a cause of many human rights violations. As the value of the market grows, the value of individual human rights decreases.The Politics of Human Rights departs from traditional interpretations of human rights by focusing on the political economy of human rights, rather than on the philosophical or legal aspects.

In this innovative work, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Christian, Islamic, Indigenous and secular Humanist voices apply their peace agendas to offer concrete policy proposals to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This impressive volume brings together comment on all the major issues ranging from the nature of religious conflict to how non-violent economies might work and addresses such subjects as indigenous rights and the principles of peace pedagogy. Its approach is especially topical given the fear of terrorist activities following the recent attacks in the US.