Why Internal Conflicts and Wars Undermine Human Security - Case Study Example

Running Head: HUMAN SECURITY Human Security Insert Name Institution Date Human Security Introduction Several states in the post war era experience internal conflict and war which undermines human security in extensive ways. Human security can be attributed as the aspect of protection of all human beings from unexpected disruptions that are harmful in the daily patterns of life either in homes, the entire community or jobs. Another concept embedded on the notion of human security is the safety of an individual from threats that seem chronic such diseases, repression and hunger. The aspect of human security is an aspect that is broadly ranged. It extends from personal security, social economic and political security. Human security especially for the ordinary people has been threatened by internal conflicts and wars. The notion of state security is often affected by internal threats which are founded by ideological differences in governance, ethnic separatists and the presence or rebel war loads in a state. Why Internal Conflicts and Wars Undermine Human Security One of the reasons as to why internal conflicts and wars undermine human security is due to the fact that an environment that is non conducive for the existence of the human society is developed as a result of war and conflict. Many states that have over the past years experienced internal conflicts and wars have been faced with extreme challenges such as people fighting for survival in all spheres of life, this includes the economic sector were internal conflicts disrupt the economic progression of a state living depletion of resources which can not effectively sustain human survival. In numerous countries, such as Rwanda due to the internal conflict, the resultant effect become scarce economic opportunities due to enormous pressure on the resources basically land. The 1994 rampage later resulted to economic desperation due to the ethic tension in the country; this kind of environment was not conducive for many people who later relocated to foreign countries (DeRouen & David, 2004). The working of institutions of governance in the state is also disrupted. Most of the internal political conflicts and wars arise due to political conflicts arising from ideological differences, political segregation on tribal basis and poor governance. In Situations whereby the institutions of governance are disrupted, the resultant effect is the development of a failed state. Due to the presence of a failed state, the rule of law is hardly existent and the enforcement of laws is usually forceful. The legitimacy of government is further compromised and the state becomes automatically incapable to deliver to its citizen’s .Internal conflicts and wars act therefore as a major contributory factor in undermining human security. Internal conflict and war also creates an environment were the desired way of life that citizens would like to live in is interrupt. Whenever actors in a particular conflict use force to get what they require, in most cases the resultant effect is that, the objectives they would like attain may be attained however at great costs which probably results to destruction of life and the general security of the human beings is undermined. How internal conflicts and wars undermine human security The various means by which internal conflicts and wars undermine human security is through reversing the development of a state. A state may invest on enhancing economic social and political development. However such efforts can be destroyed by internal conflicts and war. In the duration of civil war, a state diverts quite a lot of its resources away from activities that are productive to destruction. This leads to an increase of losses incurred by the country. This includes a reduction in the countries income per capita or the GDP, Massive wealth looting, destruction of infrastructure, ruin and disruption of political intuitions and destruction of social and family networks that were well established( Lacina & Petter, 2005). After the eruption of internal conflicts and war, a state may either be described as a failed state, a collapsed state or a weak state, depending on the effects of the conflict and war in the country. A weak state consists of attributes such as a social construct that is weak, law enforcement is performed by force, and government legitimacy is compromised, increased boarder control and the capacity of the country to citizen’s goods and services is normally restricted. A failed state on the other hand is characterized by a social contract that is severely damaged, there is hardly any form of rule of law to be followed, where coercion or force is used to enforce laws, only a small portion of the boarder and territories are controlled by the state, the capability of the state to provide services and goods to its citizens is restricted due to the fact that entities that are not within the state and warlords tend to restrict the activities. If the state collapses then the rule of law no longer exists and all the aspects of a strong state. If a state is characterized using the three characteristics it is definite that human security is actually threatened economically, politically and economically. The health security of the Citizens is also threatened by internal war and conflict. During conflict many people are exposed to horrific conditions which further lead to diseases which are normally infectious such as HIV/AIDS, malaria etc. Such infectious diseases further result to burdens to the state. The Implications of the disease burden that is linked to the countries economy include aspects such as a sustained decrease in economic growth, potential workers in the state are weakened , foreign investors may also seize and sectors like agriculture and tourism are directly impacted. The political implications of the disease burden to the state is that the state may lack the institutional , financial and economic means for the purpose of delivering health services and good that promote human welfare. Such conditions definitely undermine human security (UNDP, 2004). Women and children are adversely affected by internal conflicts and violence. Impacts on children include child trafficking, children are exposed to poverty and hunger, and some children are also subjected to joining the military due to ideological reasons. Women on the other hand are subjected to rape. In most war incidents, rape has been linked to war. Rape was on a rapid increase during the cold war. Cases of wide spread sexual violence on women have been reported on most contemporary and historical wars, for instance, the mass rapping of women during the Bosnian war. Where women were gang raped and further impregnated. Such negative vices affect the social security of women and children (Stiglmayer & Marion, 1994). Strategies of Preserving Human Security In The Midst Of Internal Conflict and War One of the strategies for preserving human security in the midst of internal war and conflict Involves violence recourse until one of the disputing sides attains military victory. Another mechanism is through the formulation of peaceful negotiation and bargaining by the conflicting groups. The contribution of a third party is also essentially in circumstances were the protracted and violent conflict have exhausted their efforts to try and reach a compromise. The third party intrusion or intervention is an essential mechanism for preservation of human security in the midst of internal war and conflict. This particular intervention involves involving an agency or a person whose role is to act mechanism for bringing a settlement that is peaceful for settling the dispute, and further creating structures that can enhance the foundation of a settlement that is long lasting. Operations of peace keeping can also be used in sustaining a conducive human safety environment. Peace keeping involves interjection physically by an external military force. The external military plays the role of separating the disputing parties in order to de-escalate the fighting and develop a peaceful environment for relief operations and political negotiation (UN 2000). The conventional wisdom illustrates that effective, peacekeeping operations should accomplish three requirements: 1. Each party in the dispute must give their consent prior to the operations of peace keeping by the third part. 2. The peacekeepers introduced should be partial when it comes to dealing with the conflicting parties. 3. Using force in the peace keeping mission is not recommended. The peace keeping force is only allowed to use a small amount of force in cases of self defense. Peace enforcement which is another effective strategy that entails peaceful operations which are undertaken by limited use of force which is carried impartially. In addition, specialized urgencies such as UNESCO, WHO, FAO, ILO, IMF and other can be used in the maintaining human security. Conclusion In most situations of internal conflict and violence it has been evident that human security is usually compromised. These compromising circumstances are developed as a result of the shift in a conducive environment that ensures the sustainable existence of the citizens of a particular state. Internal conflicts and war should be regulated for the purpose of enhancing human security. In circumstances were internal war and conflict has encroached a state it is essential to ensure that mechanisms such as peace keeping ,negotiation and violence recourse are introduced for in order to ensure that human security is maintained. References DeRouen, K. & David S. (2004).’The Dynamics of Civil War Duration and Outcome’ Journal of Peace Research. Krasner, S. (2004).Sharing Sovereignty: New Institutions for Collapsed and Failing States. International Security. Lacina, B. & Petter, G. (2005). Monitoring Trends in Global Combat. London: oxford University press. Li, Quan & Ming, W. (2005). The Immediate and Lingering Effects of Armed Conflict on Adult Mortality A Time-Series Cross-National Analysis. Journal of Peace Research. Michael, W & Nicholas S. (2000). International Peace building: A Theoretical and Quantitative. Political Science Review. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (2004). Human Development Report+ New York: Oxford University Press. Stiglmayer A. & Marion, F. (1994) Mass Rape: The War against Women in Bosnia- Herzegovina. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. World Health Organization (WHO). (2004). Country Profile Bosnia and Herzegovina, Geneva: World Health Report Geneva. Read More