The Search for Security - Essay Example

?The search for security encourages the acceptance of increased personal responsibility as much as it highlights the need for protection from others.Discuss the relationship between these two aspects of the process, drawing on evidence from at least two chapters of book 2 and one of the academic journal articles suggested below. Introduction An important part of the human nature is the ability to preserve life and to the point that once it is threatened substantial moves are initiated. Although they are social beings, humans reserved space for privacy and exclusivity, the very concept of gating communities. Gated communities based on available literature and standard perception are normally perceived as integral part of those factors that lead to social segregation (Manzi and Bowers, 2005). It is a negative perception about gating, resulting to the belief that it increases social division and builds a continuing strong barrier of walls between rich and poor. For the sake of discussion on the relationship between personal responsibility and the need for protection from others on the ground of security, the proponent tries to explore the concept of gating in the analysis. Gated communities defined Gated communities are absolutely most popularly known as walled communities. Integral parts of the gated communities are various residential housing or estate with high level of control of entry to people and vehicles. The reason would be to acquire maximum protection for the residents. As observed, most gated communities are occupied by highly affluent people, which the common impression would be as an ultimate way to separate themselves from the poor. However, a study was conducted trying to prove that this common concept is totally not at all times in line with what actually happens on the actual setting based on the perspective of these affluent people, but the entire point of gating is about achieving more than its common or popular notion (Manzi and Bowers, 2005). Jewkes (2008) illustrated that public spaces may represent a place of fear or insecurity for a particular individual or group, but these places would be so much of use or advantage if it will successfully provide safety for strangers and safety from strangers. This is the fundamental point of urban segregation that remarkably considers geographical distribution, and territorial and social division of cities from middle-class citizen and local public administration perspective (Jewkes, 2008). Gated communities therefore showcases more than the popular notion of social segregation as they would also imply as the upshot of looking forward to secure oneself from crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which is the very point of the theory of club good (Manzi and Bowers, 2005). It is a significant part of this theory to emphasise that there is always sharing of benefits and exclusivity of benefits. Thus, gating in this case may not only be confined to residential housing, but it substantially includes places like malls, exclusive facilities and others. Therefore, gated communities which particularly would represent estate with high level of control is an important illustration of an individual’s effort to acquire maximum security and benefits from being secure and at some point, achieving a special space that would allow more exclusive opportunities to enjoy a private space. The common notion of security Security is broadly defined in different ways, cases, situations or contexts. It is commonly understood as something which implies threat of insecurity (Cochrane and Talbot, 2008). This might be widely illustrated by someone acquiring insurance in order to secure his future and for his family. Individuals substantially look forward to a sense of being considered important, loved by others or sense of belongingness. Europe is on the go for environmental sustainability especially for the sake of protecting the environment from adverse impact of global warming, pollution and waste. Every firm in as much as possible would want to gain its competitive advantage simply because it is their main goal to achieve certain market share, profit and stays in business in the long run. Thus, one of their ultimate moves is to come up with various competitive strategies that would make them a cut above the other. The United States continues its mission to fight global terrorism and to shield itself from possible internal or external threat of the state. The presence of security or surveillance cameras in various firms, establishments or homes is another important illustration how most likely an individual longs for a maximum security protection from possible threats. As the society becomes more complex or modern, people also increase their level of protection against possible external and internal threats. It is in this reason that at all levels especially in the UK; the government has a significant or critical role to play in ensuring the safety of its people from perceived risks to jobs, communities and national security (Cochrane and Talbot, 2008). Security therefore is something that an individual tries to achieve just to be able to experience its important benefits. It is an integral part of the preservation of life, obtaining order and ensuring one’s future is remarkably would be in line with expectations. Personal responsibility and protection from others Prior to the discussion of some important points in this section, the basic concepts of gated communities and security are already discussed in the previous sections. As observed, it turned out that gated community would be another illustration of how individuals try to achieve maximum security from both internal and external threats within the society. The study conducted by Manzi and Bowers (2005) in the UK illustrated the fact that it is not usually the point of affluent people to segregate themselves from the poor, and just to flaunt their social status in the society. This study remarkably discovered the fact that gated communities existed just like any good prepared for consumption. This means that anyone at some point could afford to secure a private space for themselves just to obtain maximum security from various external threats. It was found that affluent people are just more concerned with the protection of their interest and that as much as possible they would want to acquire private space where such interest could be optimised to the fullest. They are just simply looking for the best possible good with substantial benefits in order to obtain high maximum enjoyment for its offered privileges. The study of Manzi and Bowers only points out the fact that gating is a way to obtain security. Gating is a personal choice. Figuratively, it is about building walls, and though it may also mean social segregation at some point, but the intention would not be most likely that way. As it is considered simply like as a good, buying it would then be due to one’s personal choice. It can also be simply illustrated as a way of finding for the best product for consumption where there are remarkable benefits equal to the amount paid for it. The point in here is to show that gating is a personal responsibility. It simply existed as a way to protect a stranger and to provide protection from stranger. For instance, some people who are new to a certain society would eventually long for their maximum security and thus, the concept of gating applies. However, as they become part of that society, their intention would now differ as they already have given ample time to associate with and know more about their neighbours. Their concerns after this would then be to aim for maximum protection from strangers, those people they are not familiar with as an integral part of the society where they belong. This illustration simply implies that as people are in continuous search for maximum security, their personal responsibility to look for it increases including their ability to be protected from others. This is the basic illustration of gated communities discussed by Manzi and Bower. They provided essential facts that gated communities existed not as a way for social segregation and to increase the gap between rich and poor, but as essential way to simply look for maximum security from external threats. Conclusion Gated communities could be used as exact illustration of how people increase their personal responsibility to acquire security and be protected from others. This is very common in affluent societies where there is an opportunity to acquire it simply like a good with remarkable price and benefits equal to its cost. Then acquiring it would mean as a personal responsibility because it is out of personal choice to obtain it. Such choice is dictated by the need to achieve security in the first place. Thus, there is an interconnection between security and gated communities. Although gated communities are popularly known as a way of division, or social segregation, its point could be the other way around and that includes the fact that there are individuals who could afford to personally acquire security at a higher cost. Gated communities therefore would also imply security at some point. Although its basic concept is not only confined in understanding residential housing, the point of this issue is to basically understand the human need for security. Although the state could provide security for its people, but then individuals are still faced with the choice to personally find for their security and that would be now their personal responsibility. This basically happens because there is always a reason to protect one’s self from others and this substantially requires the need for security at some certain level. Word Count: 1,521 References Cochrane, A., and Talbot, D. (2008) Security: Welfare, Crime & Security. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Jewkes, Y. (2008) Security: Welfare, Crime & Security. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Manzi, T., and Bowers, B. S. (2005) Gated Communities as Club Goods: Segregation or Social Cohesion? Housing Studies. Vol. 20 (2): 345-359. Reflective learning note: 1. How have I used the tutor feedback on earlier TMAs? It was able to allow me identify the mean issues, arguments, evidences in the best possible personal way. 2. What particular challenges did I encounter in preparing this TMA answer? -The skills need to properly associate the academic journal with some existing theories discussed in the book -Time constraint -Organisation of thoughts, because the subject seems to broad at some context 3. What points have particularly struck me? -The concept of gating, for it can be applied in broader sense -Gating as a way for personal security, not for social segregation 4. What has excited me? I was excited to integrate what I learned from the book and the actual applications of theory found in the journal. 5. Which existing study skills did I draw on? -Reading comprehension -Critical thinking/analysis 6. Which skills did I learn, or develop further? -I develop further my critical thinking/analysis skills 7. Which skills could I benefit from practicing more? I think it would still be my critical thinking skills/analysis skills Read More