Fear & security
Document type: article
Download file(s):
135414 (422 KB)
Abstract:
Looking at the role of fear and its association with security in the context of the post 9/11 environment, Fear & Security focuses upon how utilising fear and the demonization of entities unknown or unfamiliar to the populace, can lead to a subversion of the notion of security in respect to the fundamental freedoms it is meant to uphold. The article contends that contemporary security agendas and policies have lead to the balance between the security and freedom debate becoming disrupted, with a failure to maintain people’s civil liberties as they are sacrificed for pervasive security measures. This process is made clear by an exploration of the conception of freedom held by people living under the protection of the state, and the responsibility of protecting their rights and fundamental freedoms. While contending that derogations from these civil liberties is justifiable within certain circumstances, it is emphasised that, as upheld in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, power resides and emanates from the people, and thus any measures undertaken must succeed in maintaining both their security from threats and their feeling of security and liberty. Therefore the formation of a security infrastructure that constrains people’s lives in the name of security, fails to make them feel secure. Instead it is necessary for a refocusing of the security debate upon the protection of fundamental rights to help rationalise the formation of security policy.
Authors:
Sapienza, S.
Category:
Research
End Page:
28
Serial number:
1
ISSN:
1824-7180
Volume:
III
Journal:
SpandaNews : newsletter of the Spanda Foundation
Keywords:
civil society
,
human rights
,
human security
,
government
Language:
eng
Organization:
Spanda Foundation
Year:
2009
Right:
© 2009 Spanda Foundation
Subject:
Culture, Society and Religion
Start Page:
26
Title:
Fear & security