Relationship between Globalization and National Security

The concept of national security has been modernized and it was arising during the 17th century in the midst of the Thirty Years’ War, which took place in Europe, and in England, where the Civil War happened. Later on, the Peace of Westphalia has come out with the idea of nation-state has the sovereignty to control the internal affairs such as religion and external affairs which relate to security. This idea was established in the year of 1648. Back in those days, the international system of pre-Westphalia solely based on the notion which there was a common concept regulating states’ affairs commanded by the popes, kings, emperors and princes as well. This was the principle of the Holy Roman Empire during that time. It would be much easier to have an international structure focused on the union of nation-states committed to the restricted objective of national sovereignty and self-defense.

However, this idea has been criticized and argued by Immanuel Kant, where he revived the concept of the moral principle not in the old religious sense, but in the new one which influenced by the Enlightenment. In the year 1975, through his essay entitled ‘Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch’, stated that the system of nation-states needs to be changed by a new enlightened world order. Basically, it means that nation-states should subordinate their public advantages to the benefit of everyone and be controlled by global law. Hence was brought into the world the mainstream perspective on supranational foundations administering foreign relations, which today is reflected in the worldwide perspective of liberal internationalism and most obviously showed in the United Nations.

Thus, it is crucial to keep these two school of thought in mind when thinking about the different meanings of national security. They are available in current discussions over public sway, worldwide law, and the function of global establishments in world issues. Can be taken as an example, American liberal internationalists, with their commitment to the United Nations and global administration, are neo-Kantians, while pragmatists tend more to the perspectives on Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679), Hugo Grotius (1583–1645), and different thinkers who embraced the matchless quality of the country state.

National Security and Power

According to an article by Kim R. Holmes in the year of 2014, there are few concepts that should be aware of before discussing about the term national security. One of the main concepts that one should know is power. It is best characterized as a country's ownership of control of its power and fate. It suggests some level of control of the degree to which outside powers can ruin the nation. Hard or generally military power is about controlling other nation, and on the other side, soft power is basically about impact. For instance, attempting to convince others and utilizing strategies short of war in order for one nation to accomplish something they have been targeting. Power can be considered in many ways, such as by using force on a party or persuasion is also one of the forms of power. Power is not only based on hard facts, but also perception of desire, as well as status.

Moving on, we will now be discussing about what national security really is. National security is an idea which relates to the historical backdrop of United States of America after the Second World War with the US Congress passing the first National Security Constitution in 1947. According to an article written by Jackie Phahlamohlaka, he stated that national security is responsible on protecting a nation from external powers and invasion, be it from the aspect of economy, diplomatic, political and military. In his article, mentioned that national security has numbers of definition and, as quoted from David Jablonsky, he defined it as government’s rules in order to achieve the goals that has been set, such as to create national and international political conditions that are favorable to the protection or the extension of vital national values against existing or potential adversaries. More from Jablonsky, he said that national security is described in terms of their respective characteristics of the power base of the state, and different state will be given different priorities, depending on the critical and national interests declared by that State.

Last, but not least is on the elements of national security which correspond with the idea of national power. The first element is military security, which means the ability for one state to protect itself from any violence or military aggression. Military force will be in charge to secure the nation under the elements of military security. The next element is economic security, which is a nation has the right to develop its economy freely with their choice of policy. The third element is environmental security. Basically, it helps to cope with any issues on environment that can affect the nation in any possible way. However, the range and nature of environmental threats to national security and strategies to engage them are a subject of argument. The fourth element is economic security, where a nation has the freedom to improve their economy and financial status in their own manners. The last one is cyber security, where it concerns about any threats and bad effects on the nation due to illegal access which likely to happen. By having cyber security, data and other electronic information can be protected at all cost from being exposed to another party.

Thus, based on the writing above, can be wrapped up that national security and power are crucial for one nation as it can help to preserve peace within the nation. Apart from that, it will prevent any aggression acts from happening which later might give a big impact on the population, as well as the nation.

Globalization

Globalization can be defined in many ways, depends on how individual see things and the way they interpret them. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the definition of globalization is the interrelation and interdependency between people and countries that keeps on increasing from day to day. It is commonly acknowledged to include two interrelated aspects, which are the opening up of international borders to rapid pace flows of goods, services, money, ideas and people, and changes in structures and policies at national and international level that encourage or promote such flows. Apart from that, quoted from Friedman’s opinion on globalization, he defined it as dynamic, ongoing process involving the inexorable integration of markets, non-states, and technologies to a degree never witnessed before. Other than that, Frost also came up with his own idea on the term globalization, which, according to him, is a mechanism that leads to greater interdependence and mutual knowledge between economic, political and social groups in the world and between actors in general. It is some type of doctrine with various definitions and lines, often loosely aligned with neoliberalism and technocratic alternatives to economic growth and change, but often related to transboundary advocacy networks and associations that protect human rights, the environment, women's rights or world peace.

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Relationship Between Globalization and National Security: The Pros

Based on a paper wrote by Kevin and Jeffrey, stated that few of historians believe that the big bang of globalization has been started off since the year of 1942, when Christopher Columbus, who was searching for spices, were stumbled upon Americas, and later on in 1948, Vasco Da Gama went to Africa and took away the monopoly rents from the spice traders who were Arabs and Venetian. Numbers of scholars really thought that these two incidents are important and need to be recorded in the history of globalization. However, there were few issues on this, that some of the scholars believe that globalization happened way earlier than these two incidents.

As globalization has took place for a very long time, it is undeniable that these changes have brought so many benefits in every aspect. The very first one is, globalization helps in order to reduce the percentage of poverty all around the world. Poverty is not going to be completely gone, however, the globalization has helped millions of populations in order to achieve a better life. Globalization helps to reduce poverty as the economy is growing rapidly and in a wide range. Somehow, the globalization really is reducing the inequality between nations, and this is such a good impact. The poverty is reducing as when globalization happens, there will be lots of job opportunity where it will open the vacancy for jobless people to finally have income. The more people starting to work and gain money, the chance for them to stay in poverty will be decreased, and somehow it leads to the low percentage of poverty.

To relate this with the national security and power, can be seen that there are few elements of national security, and one of them is economic security. Thus, it has shown us that globalization is beneficial for one’s nation in order to prove its economic security. When there are changes in economy, it is proven that the government is capable in governing the nation.

Relationship Between Globalization and National Security: The Cons

The globalization is making everything moving and changing in a rapid pace and in a wide range. For instance, information technologies, as well as other technologies, has been modernized from time to time. These advancements actually create opportunities to achieve economic development, spread political freedom and bring unity. However, on the other side, the globalization has also few side effects which later will be a problem. Can be taken as examples are strong forces of social segmentation will come into existent, develop vital vulnerabilities and sow aggression and conflict. Apart from that, economic problems will easily spread across national boundaries and trigger global hardships due to the globalization.

As technology will be modernized and upgraded, it will be easier for certain party to hack other nation and date will be easily stolen. The risks were clearly apparent in the terrorist attacks on September 11, which demonstrated how Al-Qaeda was able to make successful use of emerging communications technology, international financial networks, and the ease of human movements. Basically, when the communication system is being upgraded, the security is being tighten as well. However, people would always be skillful and might be one step ahead in order to hack the system for their own benefits. Somehow, this is why globalization is not too safe for national security. This is because any professional hackers will always find a way to hack the system and one nation might be at risk. This is somehow is not in accordance with the elements of national security.

Another consequence of globalization is the proliferation of modern and even more dangerous weapon. The globalization will help people to finally able to create something great and powerful. However, if the capability is used in a wrongful way, this is somehow will lead to a bad impact. For example, because of the modern world, guns, and even nuclear weapons, are being produced, and this is very worrying as one party might use it to combat other nation. The existence of such weapons will disturb everyone’s harmony and peace as people tend to feel insecure as anything might occur anytime without any warnings. Therefore, this is very concerning as globalization will affect the peace that every nation has been trying to preserve.

Thus, can be concluded that globalization is slightly affecting the concept of national security and power. This is because nations’ security might be at risk due to all of the technologies and weapons. However, this is also could be an advantage if every nation or any party who is responsible know how to utilize these facilities in a good and beneficial way.

Conclusion

All in all, can be said that national security and power is very beneficial towards each nation to protect its population as well as the territory from being invaded by any irresponsible party. National security and power should always be one nation’s priority as these two elements are crucial in producing a developing nation. Apart from that, as for the globalization, it has both advantages and disadvantages. However, it depends on how nation decided to do with it. If that particular nation is benefiting the globalization for a good outcome, then it will be very advantageous. Even so, if the nation decided to use it in a bad way, the aftermath might lead to chaos and many other problems will occur.

References

1. Ahmed N.M., (2004). The Globalization of Insecurity: How the International Economic Order Undermines Human and National Security on a World Scale.
2. Davis L.E., (n.d). Globalization’s Security Implications. Retrieved from https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/issue_papers/2005/IP245.pdf
3. Holmes K.R., (2014). What Is National Security? Retrieved from https://www.heritage.org/military-strength-topical-essays/2015-essays/what-national-security
4. O’Rourke K.H., Williamson J.G., (2020). When Did Globalization Begin?
5. Phahlamohlaka J., (n.d). Globalisation and National Security Issues for the State: Implications for National ICT Policies. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-0-387-84822-8_7.pdf
6. You Matter Organization, (2020). Globalization: Definition, Benefits, Effects, Examples – What is Globalization? Retrieved from https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitions-globalization-definition-benefits-effects-examples/