In the vision of Antonio Camou(i), the study of political relations from the perspective of governance, is a question that alludes to the quality of governments, taking into account aspects associated with efficacy/efficiency; legitimacy and the obligation to provide better living conditions for citizens, guaranteeing a balance between State and society and lastly, the writer underscores the obligation to guarantee stability, bearing in mind social demands and avoiding social conflicts.

In that respect, the notion of shared responsibility is necessary as a civic practice, which frees citizens from their status as subjects, who assume their responsibility to no longer serve as objects of governments; through which, subjecting to governmental action out of fear has been left in the past and political pluralism is restored as the basis of the democratic agreement of nations.

Those aspects presented in such a general manner are the points of reference for evaluating what would be understood by good government. This new vision that prevails today teaches us that governmental exercise is not a justification for force but rather a process of building consensus.

Furthermore, this new wave of politics has highlighted the importance of managing a system of ethical values associated with respect for social and economic rights, transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption.

It is interesting for us to point out that such notions are put forward in an international arena, whose organisations have turned into a significant source of legitimation for local governments. So-called Summit politics (or summiteering) is a mechanism that compels independent States to bind themselves to the values and principles agreed upon in international organisations or in regional integration schemes, so as to ensure the functioning of democracy.

The importance of international politics goes hand in hand with globalisation as it fosters awareness that, as local problems have a global range, the solution must be found from the perspective of globalisation. In turn, the advancements of that global process have incorporated the issue of security, since world governance requires clear rules that to guarantee a safe world.

In order to incorporate the issue of security into the new context of globalisation, it has been necessary to question the old doctrine of national security, with its aggressive, expansionist vocation, which was based essentially on the use of force and subject to the interest of States.

Globalisation and the notion of governance described above, have served as the context for defining a new notion of security, "focussed on persons not on States"(ii). Up until the eighties, the idea prevailed that military expenditure was key to ensuring security, despite the fact that the twentieth century was a period of great insecurity within the region and around the world.

"According to the definition of the Commission on Human Security, human security consists in protecting the vital essence of all lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfilment..."

It is thus that globalisation brings governance, integration and security. To incorporate ourselves into globalisation we will have to do so through an integration scheme and in order to integrate ourselves we will need a notion of security that is “focussed on persons”.

Dr. Rubén Silié Valdez is the Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States. The views expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Feedback can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

23 February, 2005

(i) “Los Desafíos de la Gobernabilidad” (The Challenges of Governance), Mexico, 2001

(ii) Commission on Human Security: "Human security now." 2003