Abstract
The world is on the brink of collapse. Plagued with complex and multi-dimensional problems that threaten its sustainability, it is the task of everyone in the society to save it from this decline which has evidenced itself in many ways including the rising insecurity. Security is important in ensuring sustainable development as citizens can only innovate when they are safe. One of the ways to ensure this is through the practice of real democracy. Thus, the road of democracy is the path to peace and development in the society.
Global insecurity is more prevalent today than ever with many countries in the midst of internal conflicts, and acts of violence such as terrorism becoming more brazen than anyone could have foreseen. If the United States, for instance, despite being the most powerful nation on earth faces complex security concerns within its territory that were never envisaged, how the situation will bear a resemblance to other countries over the world This varies from random unexplained shootings to more organized threat to social and economic systems. These threats represent a form of “fat-tailed risk,” where the probability of grave consequences is higher than normal but the chances of them happening remains unpredictable. Each type of threat shares the common characteristic that some elements are non-negotiable because they contain requirements that society must address to avoid or suffer irreparable consequences.
To make matters worse, 21st-century security threats are not limited to military threats but now include non-military such as terrorism, gun violence, and natural disasters. The interrelation between security challenges across the world is a complex one and evidence has shown that as intergroup and interpersonal conflict decreases, there is a corresponding rise in less understood and less known threats including threats to the natural, economic and social systems that developed over time.
With the complex nature of global problems, there is a need for a comprehensive understanding of these multidimensional issues so as to develop idea-based solutions to the problems which will be executed by the government and other policymakers. Such solutions must adopt a multi-faceted approach so that key players in the society can integrate different strategies into different sectors to ensure multiple returns on societal investments and initiatives, thereby meeting the requirements for sustainable developments.
One of the ways of combating insecurity and realizing sustainable development on a global level is the practice of democracy. The ideas and reality of sustained development and democracy are interwoven as they both encourage the participation of the people in decision-making regarding the societal plans and goals. Democracy as a political system developed rapidly and was accepted in many countries even though the practice differed due to differences in ideology. In determining whether a country is practicing democracy, indicators to be considered include General Elections, Political parties as platform for people, freedom of speech so people can express their opinions, involvement of the people directly or indirectly in decision-making, etc. When such can be found in a country, then it can be said that such country is practicing a true democracy which will engender sustainable development.
Democracy encourages unity among the people as it respects both the majority and minority views. When such exist, there is usually no need for any section of the society to resort to violence in order to make its point. Like sustainable development, the keyword is participation in which everyone has a stake in the decision-making and all the policies implemented. That way, no one will want to destroy what he has contributed immensely to build.
When real democracy is adopted in global decision-making and every country regardless of size or wealth is allowed to voice their opinions, it will be easier to tackle the external threats facing society. This will be done with the development of a value system that upholds social justice and human rights, global institutions, and breeding of national and international cooperation. Through these institutions, long-term strategies will be developed to deal with these threats by investing in policies with multiple benefits since it is difficult to identify the actual causes of these threats. Investment in policies with multiple benefits is likely the most productive means of creating secure societies that encourage sustainable development.
In conclusion, the combination of democracy, security, and peace will only lead to one end – sustainable development. Better security will drastically reduce violence and death rates, this mean there will be enough labour force and mind power to create, innovate, and push the economy forward. With equal access to justice guaranteed by the rule of law, all forms of administrative ills which hinder economic and social growth such as bribery and corruption will be reduced significantly and the fundamental rights of the people will be protected. National institutions in charge of security especially in developing countries which serve a hotbed for terrorists will be improved so they can coordinate security within their jurisdiction and create policies and guidelines that will promote sustainable development.