Course description
In contemporary society, the field of security has become diffuse and fragmented. Traditional notions of national security, which rely on military power, remain highly influential today. On the other hand, the world, especially after the end of the Cold War, faces diverse global crises and threats. As a result, there is a need for a common security concept for humanity that transcends national borders. In other words, we will discuss how the international community can or should cooperate with each other to realize “peace” as a global public good.
The concept of “human security,” which gained importance in the 1990s, emphasizes individual human rights. However, in Asia, where state sovereignty is strong, it tends to be shunned on the basis of the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. On the other hand, the concept of “non-traditional security” is a security concept shared with “human security,” while on the other hand it covers the non-military domain. Let us look at the prospects for peacebuilding in Asia based on these security concepts. Currently, the international community is facing common crises and threats such as conflicts, terrorism, refugees and migrants, natural disasters, poverty, food, infectious diseases, and climate change. This lecture will examine how various categories of actors - the United Nations, UN agencies, regional organizations, governments, aid agencies, military forces, civil society and NGOs, and even corporations as the for-profit sector - are working together to address these common transnational crises and threats. Prospects for “peacebuilding in Asia” based on an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach will be analyzed and discussed.

First, we will introduce the content of the course. First, we review the meaning of the three security concepts. “Traditional security” relies on military force as a precondition for international security cooperation. Next, “human security” is based on individual human rights and is widely accepted in Japan and other Western societies. And finally, “non-traditional security” covers the non-military realm and is accepted by Asian countries with strong national sovereignty. Based on understanding of these three security concepts, specific issues related to each security concept will be discussed. Specifically, we will discuss “globalization and poverty issues,” “international peace cooperation,” “humanitarian assistance by the United Nations, UN agencies, and regional organizations,” “Japan’s Official Development Assistance for International Contribution,” “roles and challenges of civil society and NGOs,” “corporate social responsibility,” and “sustainable development goals for international cooperation.” In addition, “Relationship between Economic Development and Global Environmental Protection,” “International Cooperation from a Gender Perspective,” “Peacebuilding and Institution Building in Post-Conflict Societies,” “National Reconciliation and Elections in Post-Conflict Societies,” “Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development,” “The Role of Good Governance Led by UN Agencies,” and “Responsibility to Protect Against Humanitarian Intervention,” “Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Issues from a Human Security Perspective.” Finally, we will summarize “Peacebuilding in Asia from the Perspective of ‘Creating Peace’.”
The class will consist of a one-hour lecture and a 30-minute group discussion. The second half of the lecture will consist of individual presentations related to the lecture.

Learning outcomes
To understand the significance and differences of the “three security” issues, as well as the efforts among diverse actors to resolve the pressing issues they face in the areas of peace, human rights, development, and the environment, which are global public goods. The students will also understand that the major actors in today's international society are not only states, but are responding with global governance based on international cooperation and international collaboration among diverse actors, including international NGOs.

Teaching and evaluation methods
Class participation (20%),
group and individual presentations (50%),
final report (30%)

Syllabus: Week-by-week breakdown of classes
In this lecture, lectures will be given based on PowerPoint presentations prepared by the lecturer. In the latter half of the lecture, based on the contents of the class, reports from the students and their contents will be discussed.

Orientation week
Week 1 “Globalization and Poverty Issues” and discussion,
Week 2 “International Peace Cooperation Actors/UN Agencies/NGOs” and discussion,
Week 3 “MDGs & SDGs for International Cooperation” and discussion,
Week 4 “Corporate Social Responsibility and International Cooperation” and Discussion,
Week 5 “International Cooperation from a Gender Perspective” and Discussion,
Week 6 “Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Societies / Elections and Democratization” and Discussion,
Mid-term Break,
Week 7 “Humanitarian Intervention and Responsibility to Protect” and Discussion,
Week 8 “Relationship between Economic Development and Global Environmental Protection” and Discussion,
Week 9 “Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Issues” and Discussion,
Week 10 “Human Security and Non-Traditional Security” and Discussion,
Week 11 “Summary: Asian Peacebuilding from a ‘Peacemaking Perspective’”,
Week 12 
Exam Week

Bibliography
Lectures will be given using PowerPoint presentation materials prepared by the lecturer. The following is a list of key references:

1) Mitsuru Yamada and Miki Honda (eds.), Complex Emergencies and Humanitarian Response, Union Press, 2018 (e-book).
2) Peking University and Waseda University Joint Research Initiative, Understanding Regional Dynamics in the Asia-Pacific, Waseda University Press, 2022.
3) Roland Paris, At War’s End: Roland Paris, At War's End: Peacebuilding after Civil War, Cambridge University Press, 2005.
4) Oliver P. Richmond, Post-Liberal Peace, Routledge, 2011.

Last updated: July 4, 2024