Citation

Oquist P. Int. Soc. Sci. J. 2008; 59: 101-112.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, UNESCO, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-2451.2008.00634.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The species Homo sapiens sapiens is the unit of analysis and action for human security defined as risk reduction and expansion and realisation of potential. In this chapter the history of our existence is explored, as well as the conditions for human existence, prior extinctions and current threats of extinction, including the human impact on the environment and the continued high levels of violence in human relations in an era of nuclear weapons. Many of the very same factors that contributed to our success as a species, especially our transformative capabilities, are now contributing to the destruction of life. The values, ethics and morality of existence and extinction are examined as a foundation for a culturally, historically and ethically based integrated, holistic human security policy framework. Successes and failures in international human security policy are analysed, as well as the advantages of the proposed framework, for which concepts, levels of application and tentative policy areas are outlined. The objectives are to support the humanisation of economics and politics, as well as pointing out which values are dysfunctional for survival, to contribute to the equilibriums that maintains human existence and life on Earth, as well as to discontinue policies and practices that lead to mass extinctions, including our own.