Democracy and Citizen Security
Last updated / Ultima actualización: Octubre, 2007
Introduction
The Political Database of the Americas with the cooperation of the Colombia Program, both projects of Georgetown University’s Center for Latin American Studies, have joined forces to design and develop this section on Citizen Security. Recently, the PDBA has also obtained the collaboration of FLACSO-Chile (Program on Security and Citinzenship) to support the research activities and to build a comparative database of indicators on "Citizen Security and Democracy in the Americas".
Case Studies
Each case study is organized as follows:
- General background
- Legislation on Citizen Security policy
- Institutions responsible for Citizen Security
- Policies and programs on citizen security
- Financing Citizen Security
- Lessons learned from Citizen Security initiatives
- Evaluations of security policies
- Data and statistical information on Citizen Security
- Links
Citizen Security
Citizens are entitled to feel secure and protected in their daily lives. The last decade has seen growing recognition of the marked impact that crime, conflict and violence have on democracy and development throughout the Hemisphere. Many countries in the Americas confront severe security challenges of organized crime, such as narco-trafficking and kidnapping, as well as of corruption, juvenile crime, and youth gangs. Crime, violence and conflict sow fear and anxiety about personal security and hinder economic development by making areas unattractive for investment. They also reduce profitability due to the need for private security services to protect employees and the transportation of goods. Public outrage over the lack of government commitment to promote citizen security, reduce crime and violence, and contain conflict, may result in lack of credibility of public institutions such as the judiciary and police and negatively affect trust in democratic governance. Thus, poor quality citizen security may affect different sectors of the population and generate both direct and indirect social, economic and political costs
Citizen security addresses the threats to public, social, political and economic order posed by common crime, transnational organized crime, violence, public fear and insecurity. Political, legal and judicial reform, police and prison reform, avenues for citizen participation, and programs targeted at decreasing poverty and inequality are all essential elements to increase citizen security and democratic governance.
Citizen security emphasizes protection of individuals, local communities, and democratic political institutions from direct and indirect threats both internal and external. To this end, citizen security requires participation at national and local levels of government and a broader vision than national security to address root causes of violence. In addition to national-level judicial and police authorities, responsibilities are often devolved to the sub-national level, in particular to governors and mayors. The role of private security agencies and nongovernmental actors are also part of the citizen security framework.
Citizen security typically supports increased decentralization, because knowledge of local realities, needs and culture is essential to design and execute public policies and civil society practices that prevent crime and ensure citizen safety. Most cities have areas that have become overrun by crime and insecurity. Local governments face two alternatives: succumb to the violence or take back the streets and public spaces to preserve the quality of life for all citizens; or assume new responsibilities through the decentralization process, which before were only covered by national governments. Furthermore, this process promotes transparency and accountability on the part of local authorities toward their communities when confronting local security problems.
Citizen security recognizes that a transparent and accountable security sector is a key element of a democratic government. Therefore, citizen security requires an effective and efficient public service that operates according to sound managerial principles, values transparency and is accountable to civilian authority.