Global Governance, Human Security, and unpko s

Abstract The process of international organization has fundamentally, even though not exclusively, been to address the problem of interstate war. The institutionalization of multilateral security cooperation at the global level, under first the League of Nations (albeit a false dawn), and more recently and successfully, the UN system, has contributed significantly to the resolution of existing conflicts and the generation of a more peaceful international society. UN peacekeeping operations ( unpko s), viewed traditionally as forces placed between parties to a conflict with the aim of preventing future breakdowns of peace and security, have played a major part. International organization can further, however, be seen as a transitional process from the international anarchic conditions which generate conflict, towards the aspiration of global governance, whereby states are actively brought together to solve common problems, reconcile conflicting interests, and generate collective good. At the intersection of the three pillars of the UN (Security, Development, and Human Rights), we find the concept of human security, which, despite being essentially contested, has become increasingly prominent not only at the organisation, but also in terms of policy prescription for other actors. This human-centring in global governance has impacted unpko s through a more complex role for peacekeepers, including, but not limited to, the expansion of conditions under which deadly force may be used, the protection of civilians and vulnerable groups in conflict affected societies, and peacebuilding, even state-building activities. These developments are not without their critics. This article, therefore, addresses first the evolution of the human security paradigm within the UN’s global governance mission. It then turns to the growing impact of human security upon unpko s. This is followed by areas of contestation and challenges to human-centred peace promotion. Finally, the article concludes with policy prescription for better operationalisation of human security at the UN and through its pko s.