Exploring Complex Security Realities: NGOs, Community, and State Development Partnerships in Laos

This article begins with the assumption that the dominance of state-centric security approaches in traditional studies of international relations has marginalized the security concerns of poor people in the Third World. The article presents a brief critique of recent trends in the security debate before presenting a case study of a nongovernmental organization-community-state partnership through participatory development programs in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Contrary to the assumption that individualist and state/international security theories are incommensurate, the case study illustrates that far more complex and interconnected security realities exist. In an attempt to explore these dimensions of security, I argue that poor people are present in and have a role in managing their micro-security environment, through strategic alliances with external agencies, and through development partnerships with the state. The conclusion suggests the need to develop security analyses and academic dialogue that recognize the complex security realities of communities within society.