Human Security in the Asia Pacific Region by Otto F von Feigenblatt
Category:	Political Science	Publisher:	YKING BOOKS, Jaipur, India	ISBN-10:	8191058812	Type:
Pages:	200	Copyright:	2010	ISBN-13:	9788191058819	Non-Fiction

This book is a compendium of socio-political studies of the Asia Pacific Region following the Human Security paradigm. Buy your copy! Vedams Books IndianBooksOnSoutheastAsia.com Human Security in the Asia Pacific Region This book is a compendium of socio-political studies of the Asia Pacific Region following the Human Security paradigm. The Human Security perspective is interdisciplinary, holistic, and has a normative bias in favor of the individual. “Freedom from want” and “freedom from fear” are the two main components of Human Security. “Freedom from want” refers to basic needs such as food and shelter while “freedom from fear” includes identity needs as well as physical safety. Both components are interrelated and necessary in order to attain a state of Human Security. Another important aspect of the Human Security approach is that the basic unit of study is the individual rather than the nation-state. In other words, the goal is the security of the “human” not a territory or governmental entity. The previously mentioned characteristics make the Human Security paradigm a very flexible theoretical approach to study interdisciplinary social phenomena. The Asia Pacific Region is one of the most dynamic and heterogeneous systems of the world. While the concept of an Asia Pacific Region remains ambiguous, it is usually understood to encompass the countries with coasts in the Pacific Ocean. This is a very large region which includes countries as different as China and Costa Rica. How is the concept of the Asia Pacific Region useful and meaningful? The Asia Pacific Region is more than just a geographic area, it is a socio-economic system encompassing a vast array of cultures and peoples. Thus, the concept of an Asia Pacific Region is meant to label a perception of both peoples in the region as well as outside observers, that there are important links between the peoples in the region. Links include trade, culture, migration, politics, inter alia. Integration is occurring at a global level through the process of globalization while local identities are also becoming more important through a parallel process of localization. The result of this has been an increased awareness of the inherent weaknesses of traditional theories of international relations and international studies used to understand the Asia Pacific Region. Excerpt The Asia Pacific Region is one of the most dynamic and heterogeneous systems of the world. While the concept of an Asia Pacific Region remains ambiguous, it is usually understood to encompass the countries with coasts in the Pacific Ocean. This is a very large region which includes countries as different as China and Costa Rica. How is the concept of the Asia Pacific Region useful and meaningful? The Asia Pacific Region is more than just a geographic area, it is a socio-economic system encompassing a vast array of cultures and peoples. Thus, the concept of an Asia Pacific Region is meant to label a perception of both peoples in the region as well as outside observers, that there are important links between the peoples in the region. Links include trade, culture, migration, politics, inter alia. Integration is occurring at a global level through the process of globalization while local identities are also becoming more important through a parallel process of localization. The result of this has been an increased awareness of the inherent weaknesses of traditional theories of international relations and international studies used to understand the Asia Pacific Region.

A valuable contributing to the study of the region by Prof. Dr. A. Mani
"Exceptionally stimulating, Human Security in the Asia Pacific Region integrates security challenges and regional integration. Otto F. von Feigenblatt's comparative monograph takes a magisterial overview of the region by comparing intra-regional and regional dynamics to produce a novel perspective of the Asia Pacific region. The brilliant synthesis in exploring the two Chinas' problem in relation to Costa Rica and the use of Sarawak's past to probe for a solution in Southern Thailand provide originality and vision ofa rising young scholar. the book is a valuable contribution to the study of the region."
Prof. Dr. A. Mani,
Vice President, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan

It will no doubt resonate in our thoughts on security and regionalism for quite some time.
Human Security in the Pacific Region is a valuable contribution to the existing literature on the heterogeneous Asia Pacific region since it explores some of the hitherto neglected areas in the region with wider ramifications. Filled with concrete optimism the young scholar has applied in this work the broader paradigm of human security; thus challenging the traditional notion of security. The book goes beyond formal security of the region towards its harmonious integration enabling countries of the region to play a dynamic regional and global role. While emphasizing the two crucial variables of globalization and localization, the book transcends the traditional conflicting paradigm in which nations clash for interests and collaborate towards a harmonious world order. It will no doubt resonate in our thoughts on security and regionalism for quite some time.



Dr. Seema Shekhawat, Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.


analyzes regional trends at macro level, investigates the influence of norms and policies, and explores the relationship between violent conflict and social-political issues in a fresh, pioneering and stimulating way.
It’s all about change. Change towards positive peace in the diverse Asia Pacific region. Alternative uses of data and a consistent focus on the importance of the individual in the policy making process result in an innovative application of the Human Security Model by Otto von Feigenblatt. The collection of studies analyzes regional trends at macro level, investigates the influence of norms and policies, and explores the relationship between violent conflict and social-political issues in a fresh, pioneering and stimulating way.



Dr Erna Oliver

Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology

University of South Africa