Human security: a new strategic narrative for Europe

This article examines the potential of human security as a narrative and operational frame for the European Union's external relations. Human security is about the security of individuals and communities and it links physical and material security—‘freedom from fear’, and ‘freedom from want’. The article addresses both the lexis (language) and praxis (practice)of human security in relation to the EU. Much of the language currently used in EU external relations, particularly crisis management, civil—military cooperation and conflict management, already contains elements of a human security approach. At the same time, the concept of human security goes beyond these terms and if formally adopted and elaborated could greatly strengthen the EU's role as a global security actor. The article develops five principles of human security—human rights, legitimate political authority, multilateralism and regional focus—and makes the case that the application of these principles would increase the coherence, effectiveness and visibility of EU missions. The article concludes that the adoption of a human security approach would build on the foundational ideas of Europe in overcominga history of war and imperialism and could help to rally public opinion behind the European idea. More importantly, it would contribute to closing the real security vacuum that exists in large parts of the world today.     

The strategic culture of the European Union: a progress report

This article re‐examines the EU's character and potential as a strategic actor, setting that analysis in the context of the debate on strategic culture. The definition of strategic culture as the political and institutional confidence and processes to manage and deploy military force, coupled with external recognition of the EU as a legitimate actor in the military sphere, lends itself to a reappraisal around four core questions. First, military capabilities: establishing a European strategic culture is vital in order to rationalize the acquisition of capabilities necessary for the range of humanitarian and peacekeeping tasks envisaged. Equally, without military capabilities, all talk of a strategic culture would ring hollow. This article discusses how much closer the EU has come to acquiring those essential capabilities. Second, while the EU has gained significant experience of, albeit limited, military/policing experiences and established a growing reputation and some credibility for ad hoc action, to what extent and in what quarters have these experiences engendered a sense of reliability and legitimacy for autonomous EU action? Third, given that so far operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Balkans have depended on an integrated civil–military effort, do the policy‐making processes of the EU now ensure the appropriate level and depth of civil–military integration? Finally, considering that EU operations have been limited in time and scope, and that much of the EU's work in the Balkans has depended upon cooperation with NATO, what can be said of the evolving relationship between the EU and NATO?     

Robert Neal Rudmose Brown: Obituary

Africa Today: a Short Introduction to African Affairs. By B. W. Hodder. 18 1/2 x 12, 166 pp. 1 map, index. Methuen, London, 1978. Paperback £1.95.

The River Basin. By David Ingle Smith and Peter Stopp. 25 1/2 x 18, 120 pp. Cambridge Univ. Press, London, 1978. £5.95.

EDUCATIONAL

Place and People Series: No. 3—Communications and Networks, by Jean Forbes and James Ross, 80 pp.; No. 6—Land and Water Resources, by Arnold Bell, Raymond Cook and Ian Maciver, 72 pp., 24x 18J, Heinemann Educational, London, £1.40 each.

Beginning the New Geography. By Ken Briggs. 24 1/2 x 18 1/2, 64 pp. Hodder and Stoughton, 1979. £1.20.

Modern Techniques in Geography: Assignments in Geography. By Dalton, et al. 24 x 18 1/2, 68 pp. Philip, 1978.

Britain in Colour. By Fullagar and Virgo. 17 x 24, 186 pp. Hodder and Stoughton, 1978. £2.65.

Patterns of Development—Human Geography in Colour. By D. C. Money. 18 1/2 x 24 1/2, 184 pp. Evans Bros., London. £3.75.

World Resources Book 2—Metals. ByD. S.Scott. 29x21, 71 pp. Wheaton, 1978. £1.60.

Greater London. By Roland Allison. 19x25, 140 pp. Hodder and Stoughton, 1978. £2.45.

Contemporary Scotland: The Scottish Environment. By Ann Glen. 19x22, 74 pp. Heinemann Educational, London, 1978. £1.00.

British Isles. By Brian Nixon. 23x15, 316 pp. University Tutorial Press, Slough, 1978. £2.60.     

Australia's national security priorities: addressing strategic risk in a globalised world

This article1 1. The authors wish to acknowledge the support of their respective home institutions—the University of Sydney and San José State University, as well as Stanford University (where Dr Reckmeyer served as a Visiting Professor with the Center for International Security and Cooperation in 2009–10)—for the necessary time and funds to conduct this study. View all notes reviews the seminal influences on Australian national security planning and outlines a methodology for assessing national security risk which provides a workable analytical framework for prioritising Australia's national security challenges and allocating scarce resources in a systematic and integrated way. The authors argue for a System of Systems approach that addresses the most serious security challenges as a whole rather than treating them as independent, compartmentalised issues. The ability to develop effective analytical tools for assessing national security risk will be a key determinant of strategic success in the twenty-first century. Nations adept at anticipating developments, discerning trends and evaluating risk among the clutter of confusing and contradictory change indicators will be significantly advantaged over those which are not.     

China's strategic partnership with Latin America: a fulcrum in China's rise

China has over the last two decades been committed to creating a strategic partnership with Latin American states by persistently extending its economic and political involvement in the continent. China's efforts in this regard reflect not only its desire to intensify its economic cooperation and political relations with nations in Latin America, but also its strategic goals of creating its own sphere of influence in the region and enhancing its ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power in order to elevate China's status at the systemic level. With access to Latin American markets, resources and investment destinations, China may sustain its economic and social progress that bases its long cherished dream of restoring its past glory of fuqiang (wealth and power) and rise as a global power capable of reshaping the current world system. The enormous economic benefits deriving from their economic cooperation and trade may persuade Latin American nations to accept the basic premise of China's economic strategy: that China's rise is not a threat, but an opportunity to gain wealth and prosperity. This will help China gain more ‘soft’ power in and leverage over its economic partners in Latin America, and thereby help it to rise in the global power hierarchy.     

Towards a comprehensive strategic partnership between Australia and Japan: Japan's perspective

With 2006 and 2007 marking two important anniversaries in the history of their bilateral ties, Australia and Japan are committed to reaffirming the significance of their relationship and expanding it into new dimensions. The Australian and Japanese foreign ministers have agreed to build a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ between their two countries. What are the factors that motivate Canberra and Tokyo to elevate their bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership? From a Japanese point of view, the main reason is the enhanced strategic importance of Australia with such indicators as Australian's enhanced security role, the structural changes in Asia and movements toward a new regional architecture, Japan's energy and food security, the trilateral strategic dialogue between Australia, the United States and Japan, and shared values and the Australian government's policy toward Japan. Both nations are expected to advance toward an even closer relationship with these factors in mind.1 1. The views expressed in this article, which was written in September 2006, are those of the author and do not in any way represent the views of the Embassy of Japan in Australia or the Japanese government. View all notes     

Laurent de premierfait: the career of a humanist in early fifteenth-century Paris

The following article offers new information about Laurent de Premierfait, author of the first French translations of works by Boccaccio. The discussion centers around the problems that Laurent encountered as he pursued a literary career while supporting himself as a clerk, secretary, and notary in Paris during the reign of Charles VI.     

Laurent de premierfait: the career of a humanist in early fifteenth-century Paris

The following article offers new information about Laurent de Premierfait, author of the first French translations of works by Boccaccio. The discussion centers around the problems that Laurent encountered as he pursued a literary career while supporting himself as a clerk, secretary, and notary in Paris during the reign of Charles VI.