Theoretical and Practical Considerations of New Security Thinking

This monograph examines the transition from traditional military-focused national security to 'new security thinking,' which prioritises human security and incorporates political, economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It argues that security in Africa must be reconceptualised through gender-sensitive lenses and an integrated approach to development, while addressing the practical challenges of institutionalising these concepts within regional bodies like SADC.

• Traditional security paradigms were almost exclusively focused on states and military concerns, treating 'national security' as synonymous with 'defence'.
• The shift toward a broader security agenda was driven by 1970s factors, including the US experience in Vietnam, the OPEC oil price quadrupling, and the emergence of economic interdependence in a globalising world.
• Human security is defined as the absence of threats to human life, lifestyle, and culture through the fulfilment of basic needs, shifting the primary referent of security from the state to the individual.
• Feminist perspectives argue that a truly inclusive security framework must acknowledge women's specific gendered needs and challenge the 'masculinist underpinnings' of state-centric approaches.
• In Africa, women's security is severely compromised by 'structural violence,' where unequal distribution of resources leads to the 'feminisation of poverty'.
• African women are central to the continent's food security, producing between 60% and 80% of all agricultural production, yet they face systemic barriers to land ownership and credit.
• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) reflects a shift toward multidimensional security in its objectives, but it is criticised for remaining a 'security regime' driven by national interest rather than a 'security community'.
• There is a perceived 'retreat' of military security due to budget cuts and structural adjustment programmes, yet the military's skills remain essential for addressing non-traditional threats like disasters.
• Gender-based violence in Africa is linked to a combination of patriarchal cultural values, religious fundamentalism, and the 'omnipotent culture of military and criminal violence'.
• The document argues for an 'integrated approach' where security and development are not divorced, as structural development cannot occur without a secure environment.

APA

Solomon, H., & van Aardt, M. (1998). Theoretical and Practical Considerations of New Security Thinking. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono20.pdf

Chicago

Solomon, Hussein, and Maxi van Aardt. Theoretical and Practical Considerations of New Security Thinking. Institute for Security Studies, 1998. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono20.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Solomon |first1=Hussein |last2=van Aardt |first2=Maxi |title=Theoretical and Practical Considerations of New Security Thinking |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=February 1998 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono20.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{solomon1998theoretical, author = {Solomon, Hussein and van Aardt, Maxi}, title = {{Theoretical and Practical Considerations of New Security Thinking}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {1998}, month = feb, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono20.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }