Human Security in China: A Post-Pandemic State

The book explores the concept of human security in the context of COVID-19 Chinese politics, highlighting the differences in governance systems and their outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of protecting and extending human life through health care and technology, sometimes contradicting Western notions of human rights. The book aims to generate theoretical relevance and is of interest to political scientists, China scholars, and economists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 23 October 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

The concept of human security has gained significant attention in the context of COVID-19 Chinese politics. For decades, Western nations have criticized Chinese leaders for their governance systems, often accusing them of violating human rights. However, the pandemic has highlighted the diverse outcomes that different governance systems can yield. In Western democracies, freedom of circulation, speech, and movement is prioritized, while surveillance, lockdowns, and private-public collaboration are employed in China and other Asian societies.

Chinese political scientists have become increasingly focused on human security, a utilitarian concept that emphasizes the protection and extension of human life through various systems, including healthcare, technology, and social welfare. While human security may diverge from Western notions of human rights, it has been shown to achieve superior outcomes in terms of human well-being.

This book, being the first English language book to explore these issues, aims to generate sustained theoretical relevance in the aftermath of the crisis. It will be of interest to political scientists, China scholars, and economists, as it sheds light on the complex dynamics between human security, governance systems, and societal outcomes.

The concept of human security has evolved over time, with its origins in the work of Canadian scholar Johan Gultang. Gultang defined human security as the absence of fear and the presence of basic needs, such as food, water, shelter, and health. This definition has been expanded to include economic security, political security, and environmental security.

In the context of COVID-19, human security has taken on a new dimension. The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems, economic structures, and social welfare programs, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to security. The Chinese government has responded to the crisis by implementing a range of measures, including lockdowns, surveillance, and testing, to control the spread of the virus.

While these measures have been effective in containing the pandemic, they have also raised concerns about human rights and freedoms. Critics argue that the Chinese government's approach to human security violates fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, assembly, and privacy. They also point out that the government's use of surveillance and lockdowns has had a negative impact on the economy, particularly small businesses and the poor.

Despite these criticisms, the Chinese government has defended its approach to human security, arguing that it is necessary to protect the health and well-being of its citizens. The government has also emphasized the importance of social harmony and stability, which it believes are essential for the country's long-term development.

In conclusion, the concept of human security has gained significant attention in the context of COVID-19 Chinese politics. While different governance systems yield different outcomes, human security emphasizes the importance of protecting and extending human life through various systems. The Chinese government's response to the pandemic has raised concerns about human rights and freedoms, but it has also emphasized the need for social harmony and stability. As the crisis continues to unfold, it will be important to examine the implications of human security and governance systems on human well-being and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

Weight: 295g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811646775
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022