Based on a PowerPoint slide in a presentation given by the American Friends Service Committee
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↓ Conflict ↓
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Traditional Security Approach |
Shared Security Approach |
- Problem definition
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- Framed in terms of state power relations.
- Us vs. them.
- Security as a zero-sum game.
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- Shared problems; shared solutions.
- Security as mutually interdependent and multi-level (individual, community, nation, region, world).
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- Objective / Goal
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- External threat must be defeated / contained / eliminated.
- Protect power interests and control over resources; secure safety within one’s own borders.
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- Collective effort to resolve or positively transform conflict.
- Improve security for all involved.
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- Strategy / Approach
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- Short-term, focused on symptoms.
- Allows coercive approaches.
- Ignores one’s own contributions to the problem.
- Assumes cause-effect linear relationships.
- Legitimizes force as tool of “last resort”.
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- Long term, addresses root causes.
- Cooperative and inclusive.
- Examines one’s own contributions to the problem.
- Recognizes complex systems.
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- Tools
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- Coercive diplomacy.
- Development and foreign assistance.
- Sanctions and economic incentive.
- Military force and threat of force.
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- Inclusive, cooperative diplomacy.
- Development and foreign assistance that support civil society and do not cause further harm.
- Nonviolent principles and actions.
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- Outcome
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- Temporary mitigation of problem; underlying causes of problem persist.
- Violent conflict cycles become increasingly vicious and complex.
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- Both symptoms and causes addressed over time.
- Ends reflect means and encourage more inclusive problem-solving.
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Limited solutions
Cycles of conflict may continue.
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Shared solutions
Way opens for forward progress.
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