African environmental and human security in the 21st century

Environmental and human security issues are vital national security interests in African states because most citizens are engaged in daily struggles to survive. Chronic resource scarcities and degradations fuel individual struggles, along with political conflicts among different groups vying to control and benefit from scarce resources. Observers agree on importance of expanding national security in African states, but without consensus on optimal approach for studying or improving environmental and human security problems. Although the military is an influential institution in African countries, no work has addressed how, or if national and foreign militaries should be involved in promoting human and environmental security. This book combines ten original studies to discuss important non-traditional security issues facing countries located in each region of Africa. This volume reflects an assumption that one must have case-specific knowledge, use multidisciplinary and multi-level conceptual frameworks, and have appreciation of feasible and desirable public policies to understand and address complex non-traditional security concerns. Part One has three essays based on papers presented at 49th International Studies Association meeting in March 2008, plus two additional studies. Part Two focuses on understanding emerging transcontinental issues using interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks. Part Three has recommendations, remediation and conclusions via mini-case studies. The final chapter ties ten studies together and gives ideas about future role of US military forces in Africa non-traditional security areas--Publisher's description.