ABSTRACT
This article asserts that in the absence of systemic critiques of the existing global security system, progress toward the reduction of arms dependence and global violence and the achievement of authentic human security remain in the realm of a widely desired ‘impossible dream’. In the hope of raising serious discussion of moving these dreams into the realm of politically practical goals, readers might reflect upon what actually would constitute authentic human security, as addressed in this introductory article. One of the central arguments is that the most potentially constructive approaches to illuminating human security possibilities is comprehensive, holistic and systemic. The article offers one example of this type of approach by proposing a feminist framework. This framework is intended as a basis to begin the requisite security discussion to be pursued by a wide-ranging inquiry.
