MACMILLAN Human Security Norms in East Asia (Security, Development and Human Rights in East Asia)

This book reveals how the idea of human security, combined with other human-centric norms, has been embraced, criticized, modified and diffused in East Asia (ASEAN Plus Three). Once we zoom in to the regional space of East Asia, we can see a kaleidoscopic diversity of human security stakeholders and their values. Asian stakeholders are willing to engage in the cultural interpretation and contextualization of human security, underlining the importance of human dignity in addition to freedom from fear and from want. This dignity element, together with national ownership, may be the most important values added in the Asian version of human security.  Review “An impressive array of top-quality case studies. Human security norms are localized and deeply rooted in economic and development strategy in East Asia. It is very timely to reflect the added-value of human security to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): no one left behind.” (Yukio Takasu, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Human Security, Japan) “The definitive comparative analysis of the varieties of human security in East Asia over the last quarter-century. Demands by East Asians for dignity and agency advance redefinitions of human security, projecting the new South onto a problematic global scene.” (Timothy Shaw, Visiting Professor, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA) From the Back Cover The idea of human security, one of the human-centric norms born in the United Nation, has been criticized, embraced, and dynamically transformed in nations of East Asia (ASEAN Plus Three), where people are exposed to serious insecurities such as natural disasters, pollution, epidemics, armed conflicts and possible economic downturns. While there is a kaleidoscopic diversity of human security actors and aspirations, East Asians tend to think that human security and national sovereignty are compatible, and attach particular weight to freedom to live in dignity, one of the core values of human security. Elements of human security are already entrenched in the East Asian reality. This book ponders what, then, should be done next in this world of global connectivity.   Yoichi Mine is Professor in the Graduate School of Global Studies at Doshisha University, Japan. Oscar A. Gómez is Research Fellow at the Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI), Japan. Ako Muto is Senior Research Fellow at the Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI), Japan. About the Author Yoichi Mine is Professor in the Graduate School of Global Studies at Doshisha University, Japan. Oscar A. Gómez is Research Fellow at the Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI), Japan. Ako Muto is Senior Research Fellow at the Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI), Japan.