Human security as biosecurityReconceptualizing national security threats in the time of COVID-19

Research within security studies has struggled to determine whether infectious disease (ID) represents an existential threat to national and international security. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), it is imperative to reexamine the relationship between ID and global security. This articl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPolitics and the life sciences Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 83 - 105
Main Authors Albert, Craig, Baez, Amado, Rutland, Joshua
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 03.05.2021
Subjects
Biosecurity
COVID-19
Health Security
Human Security
National Security
PERSPECTIVES
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Summary:Research within security studies has struggled to determine whether infectious disease (ID) represents an existential threat to national and international security. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), it is imperative to reexamine the relationship between ID and global security. This article addresses the specific threat to security from COVID-19, asking, “Is COVID-19 a threat to national and international security?” To investigate this question, this article uses two theoretical approaches: human security and biosecurity. It argues that COVID-19 is a threat to global security by the ontological crisis posed to individuals through human security theory and through high politics, as evidenced by biosecurity. By viewing security threats through the lens of the individual and the state, it becomes clear that ID should be considered an international security threat. This article examines the relevant literature and applies the theoretical framework to a case study analysis focused on the United States.
ISSN:0730-9384
1471-5457
DOI:10.1017/pls.2021.1