My Critique on the Global Security Matrix

The Global Security Manifesto sets out on a mission to bring together the various variables that constitute global security as a whole. This mission is a daunting one, however, the Global Security Manifesto, I believe, does a good job in bringing together at least the major variables and actors involved. The inclusion of the various types of threats and the various types of actors makes for a very comprehensible tool that will allow people in the very least to explore the subject and a good part of its many dimensions. Considering the word limitations to my post I will simply the address the points of critique I found the most relevant.
The Global Security Manifesto, as mentioned previously, does well in presenting its various levels of analysis. The various actors, ranging from the individual to the global community as a whole, are considered. In addition, I believe, the inclusion of Info War and other security issues such as the environment and resource conflict were key to a good start to this project’s mission. The idea that simple levels of analysis cannot explain this topic will add to the flexibility of this tool in adding further details to the various security threats and the actors they affect.
Although this project definitely has a strong start in the manner in which is begins to present the global security issues at hand, I feel there are additional distinctions that must be made in expanding definitions and acknowledging additional risks within the definitions of some categories. For example, where would socio-cultural strife/movements be incorporated into the definitions of threats? Do these not also affect individuals, networks, systems, or states? There are various examples of this throughout Latin America, where movements for indigenous rights and equality have lead to government coups and massive revolts, a quick example being Ecuador. In addition I believe other forms of Resource Conflict should be added to included commodities and luxury goods under section 4.3. This is because I feel there are security threats that come about as a result of wanting to control luxury goods as diamonds and gold, which have been used in places such as Africa to fund civil wars with weapons and so forth. Thus, I believe, such goods should also be considered in addition to the various vital resources outlines under that section. Another addition that could be considered is that of the proper place of cyber attacks amongst the various threats and the concept of electronic warfare. Although for now it is classified under terrorism and crime, could not a well-placed cyber attack result in such an economic disaster that it could be considered a type of WMD? In addition will the use of EMPs in the future classify under that type of a threat as well? These are questions about the true nature of these types of threats that need to be considered carefully during these times in which global security has so many threats to it that may come in different forms than the ones expected today. As a result the definitions of these threats must relflect these concerns.
The mission of the global security matrix well help aid the need of awareness on this subject and help everyone look beyond simply terrorism as the one global threat, so that individuals may become aware of the various threats which we all face today.
A quick addition to my critique of the GSM that came to mind is what role or position can be considered for the guarantee of human rights as type of security. The threat of the loss of human rights or the infringement of human rights should be incorporated as a threat that affects various levels of this heteropolar matrix. In various places throughout the world infringement on these rights has resulted in genocides, cultural and social strife, and war. Let us not forget the ongoing situation in places such as Darfur and the conditions under which individuals were kept, tortured, and killed during the holocaust. It is important to keep these important issues in mind, because they too result in abuse, conflict, and the death of people. This is indeed a global security issue, even if not the most pressing, and it as a result it should be incorporated into this Matrix.

Posted by Ivan Maldonado on October 1, 2006 11:26 AM | Permalink

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