Human security: from concept to practice - case studies from northeast india and orissa (World Scientific Series on Human Security)

Human security is a new paradigm for security, development and justice. Since it was first proposed in the 1990s, there has been an endless debate between its proponents and critics, and even among its advocates, over the meaning and utility of the concept. What is important now is to move the concept beyond the realm of theory and explore its practical applications, considering possible policy perspectives and implications. This book suggests new practical applications of the human security concept, such as human security mapping, the human security governance index and human security impact assessment. Using Northeast India and Orissa as case studies, the methodology introduced in this path-breaking book can be applied to conflict zones worldwide. By designating the individual rather than the state as the referent object of security, human security is emerging as a framework that can serve as a means to evaluate threats, foresee crises, analyze causes of discord and propose solutions entailing a redistribution of responsibilities. Contents Foreword by Surin Pitsuwan Foreword by Sadako Ogata Preface Acknowledgments List of Contributors Introduction: Human Security from Concept to Practice Amitav Acharya, Subrat Kumar Singhdeo and M. Rajaretnam Chapter 1 Constructing a Human Security Governance Index for Northeast India Kalyan Das Introduction Indicators to Measure the Status of Human Security in Northeast India Which State Is Most Insecure in Northeast India? Human Insecurity Trend over the Years Choosing the Variables to Construct a Human Security/ Insecurity Index in the Context of Northeast India Defending the Indicators: The Web of Insecurity Prevailing in the Region as Reflected by the 14 Selected Indicators Constructing the Indicators: Sources and Limitations of the Data The Method of Analysis Making Broad Generalizations from the Macro Indicators: Does Bad Governance Increase Human Insecurity in Northeast India? Steps to Ensure Human Security in Northeast India: The Need for Right and Effective Policies and Practices for Well-Being Appendix A: A Brief Profile of the States of Northeast India Appendix B: Tables Chapter 2 Human Security Mapping in Conflict Zones: The Case of Northeast India Nani G. Mahanta Northeast India: Militarization — A Way of Life Mapping Human Security in Northeast India: The Perspective of Human Security Defining armed conflict Armed violence and human insecurity in Northeast India Objectives and Research Questions Methodology Limitations Findings The overwhelming presence of insurgency causes grave insecurity to the common people The presence of the military is also a cause of insecurity to the common people Armed groups are perceived as being more threatening than the security forces Apart from the military and militancy, corruption is the greatest source of insecurity Despite the prevalence of voluntary groups, most people remain helpless in dealing with insecurity Insurgency is caused and sustained by a variety of factors The vulnerability to insecurity differs across different categories of people Government policies fail to provide security People perceive a variety of measures for achieving peace Among the different approaches for achieving peace, most people prefer having a constant peace dialogue “Bandhs” are another source of insecurity People perceive the possession of arms by civilians and drugs as transnational security threats Contribution of Our Study: Providing a Critique to the Existing Literature First Source of Threats: The Armed Groups Second Source of Threats: The Government Third Source of Threats: The Transnational Non-State Network Policy Implications and Conclusions Bibliography Chapter 3 Conflict and Development in the Context of Human Security in Northeast India Dilip Sarma, Madhurjya Prasad Bezbaruah, Geeta Gudihal and Nayan Jyoti Bhuyan Development–Conflict Nexus Background Conflict in the region Overview of the three conflicts Underdevelopment–conflict–development process The third question — the paradox Methodology for Human Security Impact Assessment (HSIA) The rationale for HSIA The idea of HSIA Human security impact assessment (HSIA) vs. environmental impact assessment (EIA) Components of HSIA Impact analysis Mitigating measures Monitoring Final documentation Cumulative impact and impact interaction Pitfalls of conducting HSIA Human Security Impact Assessment (HSIA): The Case of the Assam Gas Cracker Project Background of the project Background of the area Screening Scoping Impact analysis Compensation and relocation Access to benefits which are likely to arise from the project Effect on livelihood Loss of natural resources Effect on health Disruption of the social fabric Chances of conflict Scenario analysis Mitigating measures Bibliography Chapter 4 A Human Security Index for Orissa, India Subrat Kumar Singhdeo and Manoranjan Mishra Background of the Study Objectives of the study Location of the study Scope of the study/Issues to be covered Methodology Deliverables Timeframe Intended users and potential uses of the study Human Security Index for Orissa Introduction Selection of human security indicators Number of households living below the poverty line (BPL) Number of people affected by malaria Number of deaths due to natural calamities Number of deaths due to dowry Incidences of communal violence Habitations not having access to safe drinking water Change in forest cover Sources and limitations of data Number of households living below the poverty line Number of people affected by malaria Number of deaths due to natural calamities Number of deaths due to dowry Incidences of communal violence Habitations not having access to safe drinking water Change in forest cover Methodology adopted for developing the human security index Ranking of Districts The most insecure districts in Orissa The most secure districts in Orissa Human insecurity trends over the years Governance Indicators Budgetary allocation and expenditure Social sector allocation and expenditure Access to elementary education Expenditure on health and family welfare Presence of police/security personnel in the state Level of corruption Comparison between Human Development Index (HDI) and Human Insecurity Index (HII) Appendix Bibliography Chapter 5 Human Security Impact Assessment (HSIA): A Suggested Methodology Biswaraj Patnaik Human Insecurity The Rationale for HSIA The Rationale for HSIA The Idea of HSIA The Idea of HSIA Choice of Indicators for HSIA Methodology for HSIA Proposed Model and Guidelines for HSIA Chapter 6 People’s Perception of Human Security Threats: A Survey of Three Naxal-Affected Districts in Orissa, India Subrat Kumar Singhdeo Genesis and Growth of the Naxalite Movement in Orissa Early 1960s 1962–1971 1972–1996 Post-1996 period Modus Operandi Sources of Arms and Ammunition Sources of Funding Recruitment and Training State Reaction Interlinkage Between Conflict and Underdevelopment Survey Findings Impact of Naxalite activities Performance of government-run programs and institutions Appendix: Survey Questionnaire Bibliography Index