Human vs. National Security Differences Essay

Human beings are accorded some basic rights that are meant to enable them, live sustainable and peaceful lives. Human rights can be defined as morally acceptable behaviors towards humanity (Payne, 2017). This is expected of every individual and should be enforced by those in positions of leadership. Human security is the basis for national security since national security entails the security of all individuals within a country. A person can interfere with human security without necessarily impacting national security. However, national security has an implication on every individual in a given country. In most cases, leaders who perpetrate inhuman acts may go free without facing any legal action. Morally, human security should be given a higher priority because it entails direct actions which harm individuals. Therefore, human security is more morally justifiable, and calls for local and international attention, than national security.

Globalization has facilitated interactions between states, regions, and continents. The increased interaction implies that human conditions in one country have an impact on the individuals in another country. In this regard, human rights are a global issue that has raised the attention of international organizations including Amnesty International and, the more common, International Criminal Court (ICC). In accordance with social contract theories, governments are expected to uphold human rights and can be held accountable by other countries on an international scale (Payne, 2017). Therefore, foreign governments can get involved in protecting citizens’ human rights in any country. Human rights are no longer the responsibility of only the country’s leaders and therefore should not be viewed in the line of cultural relativism where people assume that human rights vary depending on a country’s culture. Citizens have a right to be protected against brutal leaders through the intervention of foreign and international organizations.

Reference

Payne, R. (2017). Global issues (5th ed.). Digital.