Page 104 - Empowerment and Protection - Stories of Human Security

A case for human security methodology
Methodology challenges us to consider our basic assumptions about what we study and the techniques adopted by the researcher. The underlying methods and assumptions of the human security approach influence their outcome and effect. Methodology is important as it can to a certain degree address the critique on human security as too all-encompassing and vague to be put into practice.
There has been a lack of attention on the methodological implications of the shift from traditional notions of security, to one that is localised and focused on the individual. In their recent article on this very issue, Mary Martin and Denisa Kostovicova assert that, “while critical thinking about security has sought to change understandings and produce new analytical perspectives, it has relied largely on methods of inquiry and decision-making which are rooted
in established conventions about the nature of security, its objects and goals.” A critical first step towards making the concept useful is therefore to incorporate this referent shift into the methodology and design of human security efforts and initiatives. Methodology should be considered carefully as
a way to give meaning to the human security approach in processes that influence policy and practice.
Subjectivity
Ideally, a study would combine both qualitative
and quantitative methods and analysis. However, this is not without its own challenges, and there
is no ‘perfect’ model. There are several different types of human security methodology, based on very narrowly chosen indicators or a broader set
of threats. The studies featured in this publication were mainly based on qualitative approaches, in order to focus on capturing individual experiences of a broad set of threats and contributors to security. According to Martin and Kostivicova, qualitative approaches “capture both the breadth and depth of insecurities experienced ‘on the ground’, in contrast to data collection carried out
by surveys.” While this is also subject to a degree of political and cultural bias of the interviewers, some argue that ‘geographically referenced determinants’ are the most useful way of dealing with human security methodology challenges. As individual experiences are subjective, perceptions may at times not correspond to more quantitative or ‘hard’ data. However, perceptions are intrinsic to understanding
people’s experienced level of freedom from fear or freedom from want – which underpin notions of human security. ‘Feeling’ secure is important in this regard, as it affects communities’ sense of empowerment or disempowerment.
Bottom up, context specific
While proponents of the human security approach agree that a bottom up, localised approach is important and can be more effective, it is often
not sufficiently addressed in the development of strategies or methods. This results in a lack of local ownership in the process. Individuals and local populations are more than the passive referent object of security; rather, they should be active agents of efforts to improve human security in their respective contexts. This is also related to the notion of empowerment, as human security should
Methodology should be considered carefully as a way
to give meaning to the human security approach in processes that influence policy and practice.
reinforce peoples’ ability to act on their own behalf. Consulting local researchers after a process is already in place is not the same as working together on equal terms in the design of the research or in the drafting of policy and advocacy strategies.
Relevance for practitioners and policymakers
To adequately measure insecurity at the local level, the notion of human security measurement must be (re-)defined, time and again, by local actors themselves. Applying a human security lens to processes and methodology is important to reach a better understanding and locating it
in the field. It influences choices, approaches and
f104 stories of Human security | A Methodology for huMAn Security