The Phenomenology of Human Security and Insecurity

Experiences of security and insecurity are a part of everyday life for all of us. As societies and social systems are becoming more complex, also the issues related to security and insecurity are getting more diverse. While people in many societies are getting wealthier and getting higher incomes and their lives are getting more globalised, the income disparities within societies are increasing and population groups differentiating – also in terms of their opportunities. Because the experiences of security and insecurity are context-specific, this development challenges our perceptions and interpretations of these phenomena. Thus, an analytical approach to these themes requires a structured view of how and in what situations and why insecurity is perceived in different population groups and how it could be managed and prevented. The view should be based on solid scientific research. This publication presents the multidisciplinary basis for research on security and insecurity and some main results of a research project on insecurity that lasted over three decades.