Toward New Architecture for Persian Gulf Order, Necessity of Overlapping the Human Security and State Security

Abstract

The security regimes in the Persian Gulf are mainly based on the realism that emphasizes statism. Accordingly, the security regimes have been trying to ensure the security of the state, and in its reduced form, the security of the ruling elites. These ruling systems mostly try to form regional or extra-regional alliances or coalitions, and these coalitions or alliances are used by one group of countries against others. This article discusses the issue of "comprehensive security", which includes the overlap of "state security" and "human security" to ensure security and stability in the Persian Gulf. The question is what interpretation of security can be used to increase the overlap between these two approaches of security? The answer to this question depends on the interpretation of the "state" in order to derive a security approach in which the "human security" and the "security of the ruling elites" overlap more. This overlap requires a minimalist approach toward state in which the interests of the state are aligned with those of its constituents (citizens). The minimalist approach toward state is related to John Locke's concept of a social contract in which the state is directed towards its constituent citizens.