Human Security in the Asia-Pacific: In Australia's National Interests?
Abstract
Threats to security within the Asia-Pacific region continue to evolve. Traditional and nontraditional threats to state sovereignty and individuals exist across the region. The dominant type of security policy within the Asia-Pacific region remains state-centric. This policy approach could generate instability by undervaluing the importance of individual security. The United Nations (UN) advocates human security as a means of providing freedom from want and freedom from fear for individuals. However, despite the altruistic motives of the UN, neatly separating state and human security is unrealistic, as sovereignty remains the foundation of the international system. Therefore, a human security policy approach must include the state-centric instruments of national power. This study investigates whether the application of this human security policy approach is in Australia's national security interests. The study reveals that Australia's enduring national security objectives and interests are well-defined and are pursued using a state-centric policy approach. By analyzing case studies addressing threats in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Southwest Pacific, the study concludes that a human security policy approach is in Australia's national security interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 16, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA556299
Entities
People
- Matthew J. Patching
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College