Human Security and Agency

This study investigates how human security manifests itself in the context of Afghanistan and explores the factors that promote and impede its development. Using development programs that focus on human security, this study investigates a particular approach (development of productive power) to human security implementation in a post-conflict reconstruction environment that has experienced numerous development programs designed and implemented to build communities and protect their security. The objective of this book is to move beyond a simple exploration of the causal relationship between human security, structures, and agency and, rather, investigate the factors the either promote or impede the implementation of human security. To that end, this study employs multiple methods of systematic inquiry and engages literature on the socio-economic and political context in Afghanistan in order to understand the factors that influence the agency of production, creativity, and control that individuals possess. This book will develop a contextual explanation of human security and understand how an increase in productive power (will be explained in detail), as an approach, can facilitate the implementation of human security.

The book begins with illustration of human security concept with a particular focus on contextually defined concept of human security in Afghanistan. This part will further review the human security programs in Afghanistan since 2003 with a detailed description of the factors that impacted the implementation of the programs throughout the country. This part develops a framework for further explanation of the context followed in section I that includes Afghanistan’s social, economic and political structure which could impact the implementation of human security programs.