Maharashtra Board Class 10 Defence Studies Chapter 1 Changing Nature of the Concept of National Security PDF Download

Changing Nature of the Concept of National Security

Traditionally, National Security meant physical protection of the state from external aggressions. The military dimension of security is an important part but it is not the sole component of national security. To be truly secure, a nation needs other forms of security. Besides the military aspect of security; many other aspects like diplomacy or politics; society; environment; energy and natural resources; economics and human resources; are equally important as a whole. The aim of national security is to achieve peace and harmony among people, that is socio-political and individual life stability through good governance; resulting in nation-building.

National survival which is the core of national security, also relies on effective conservation of our environment so that industrial and technological growth go hand in hand with environment. Ecological balance is a shared responsibility of all, as individuals, families, and communities. Another important element for our national survival is national unity. This unity is an outcome of the tradition, culture, history that makes people proud of their country. Thus while the traditional aspect of security is important there are other dimensions that need to be studied.

In the Indian context, the term security is represented by more than one word in Sanskrit language. In Sanskrit, the words 'rakshah, rakshanam, rakshakah; derived from the root 'raksh' (meaning protecting, defending, watching) and the word 'suraksha', all mean security. Similarly, the word 'abhayam' means fearlessness, elimination of fear, safety and security. Kautilya in the 'Arthashastra'; divides the concept of security into internal and external security. Internal security, functionalised as 'dandaniti' argues that the fundamental duty of the government is to maintain public order; and to maintain, protect and increase the wealth of the country.

While the traditional approach to security remains very relevant today, there are some other dimensions that need to be understood. In the decade of 1980s and 1990s a lot of new thinking was done on the concept of security. Some of the important contributions that were made, include the following:

1. Willy Brandt's report titled North-South: A Programme for Survival and Common Crisis: North South Cooperation for World Recovery: These reports focused on the problem of development and how military resources can be used for development of the country.

2. Olof Palme's report titled Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues: This report suggested the approach of 'common security'. This meant that one country cannot become secure by making the other country insecure. They must search for common security.

Teacher's Note

National security means keeping our country safe. It is not just about soldiers and weapons. It is also about helping people live a good life. Like how your mother keeps you safe by giving you food, clothes, and good education.

Exam Trick

Remember: Old security = only army. New security = army + good jobs + clean water + schools. Write all four things in your exam answer to get full marks.

Points to Remember

National security has many parts, not just military.
Environment, economy, and society are also important for security.
Kautilya was an ancient Indian teacher who wrote about security.
In the 1980s and 1990s, people started thinking about security in new ways.

Willy Brandt was a German statesman and politician who served as Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) from 1969 to 1974. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971 for his efforts to strengthen cooperation in Western Europe and to achieve reconciliation between West Germany and the countries of Eastern Europe.

Olof Palme was the Prime Minister of Sweden who chaired the Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security in Geneva. He acted as UN special envoy to mediate in the war between Iran and Iraq.

What Is a Non-State Actor?

A non-state actor is any organisation that is not a part of the Government. It works for a specific purpose for which it is created. Some of the important organisations work in the area of environment, health, women and child development etc. They are also referred to as Non-Governmental Organisations or Voluntary Organisations.

Teacher's Note

Non-state actors are groups that help people but are not part of the government. For example, schools run by temples or hospitals run by religious groups are non-state actors in India.

Exam Trick

Remember: Non-state = not government. NGO = Non-Governmental Organisation. These words mean the same thing. Write NGO in your exam if you forget the full word.

Points to Remember

Non-state actors are not government organisations.
They work for specific purposes they are created for.
They can work in areas like health, environment, and education.
They are also called NGOs or Voluntary Organisations.

Comprehensive Security

The age of globalisation that came in the 1990s saw a lot of changes taking place in the world. The world became interdependent in the area of economy and technology. Communication became faster and cheaper due to TV, mobile phones, internet etc. Non-state actors (or non-governmental organisation and voluntary organisations) became more active and relevant in day to day life.

It is in this context that the concepts of 'Comprehensive Security' and 'Human Security' became important. These concepts link the security of the country to the security of the people and society. The main areas that are included in the concept of Comprehensive Security are:

i. Environmental Security: The issues involved in the environmental sector include ecological problems like pollution, energy problems, population issues, food related problems, climate change, water resource management etc.

ii. Economic Security: This focuses on the problems of poverty, employment opportunities etc.

iii. Societal Security: The issues of migrations, social conflicts based on religion, ethnicity or caste are discussed here.

iv. Political Security: Threats from the political conflicts based on ideology or religions, form part of this issue.

Teacher's Note

Comprehensive security means looking at many different things to keep a country safe. Like when you are safe, your home is safe, and you have food, friends, and good health. All of these together make you fully secure.

Exam Trick

Remember: Comprehensive = complete. So comprehensive security = complete security with environment, money, people, and government all working together. Write these four parts in your exam.

Points to Remember

Comprehensive security has four main parts.
Environmental security means clean air and water.
Economic security means having jobs and money.
Societal security means no fights between religion or caste groups.
Political security means no conflict due to different beliefs.

Human Security

Today the term used is 'Human Security'. The Human Development Report of the United Nations has brought in this new thought in the security issues. The 1994 Human Development Report (HDR) highlighted two major components of human security that were in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 'Freedom from fear' and 'Freedom from want'. The 1994 Report introduced the concept of human security, which equates security with people rather than territories and with development rather than weapons. It examines both the national and the global concerns of human security. The 1994 HDR was even more specific, listing seven essential dimensions of human security:

i. Economic security: People must have an assured basic income.

ii. Food security: All people must get and afford to have basic food.

iii. Health security: Threat to health security is usually greatest for poor people and those living in rural areas. People must have access to health services.

iv. Environmental security: Intensive industrialisation and population growth have put a lot of strain on environment. It is necessary to protect the ecosystem.

Teacher's Note

Human security is about keeping people safe and happy. It is not just about guns and soldiers. It is about food, health, jobs, and clean environment. When your family has food and a good school, that is human security for you.

Exam Trick

Remember: Human security = people security. The United Nations said human security has seven parts. Try to remember at least three of them: food, health, and jobs.

Points to Remember

Human security focuses on people, not weapons.
People need money to buy things they need.
People need food to eat every day.
People need doctors and hospitals to stay healthy.
People need clean air and water to live well.

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