Harmony in Diversity: Squaring the Circle in Full-Spectrum Security Studies

The idea of security has changed a lot because of the major shifts happening within societies at the local level. Economic improvements for poorer groups, efforts for fairer power sharing, and the struggles of the extremely poor have all added new layers to how we think about security today. At the same time, the rise of a market-driven, neo-liberal economy—where competition is fierce and survival is tough—has put serious pressure on middle- and working-class populations, creating new sources of tension and insecurity.

Meanwhile, the major global powers are constantly pushing their economic interests, often using strategies that divide societies. They use a variety of well-coordinated tools to create division, with ruling elites and their allies working together across different platforms—like a chain reaction. They try to break down shared ways of thinking and unity (known as the shatterbelt strategy), which creates major flashpoints for conflict.

Security, development, and peace are deeply connected. This obvious truth has led to a major shift in the way we study security today: no longer just focusing on military threats, but also including social, economic, and cultural factors. Global changes at the big-picture level are now seen as starting from small, local changes. Because of this, security studies have expanded beyond just experts and professionals—they now involve many different fields of knowledge, helping to “square the circle” (solve a difficult problem) by connecting diverse ideas and disciplines.

Trying to force everyone in a society to think the same way is impossible, and efforts to do so often create even deeper divisions. Rising forms of extreme nationalism—based on ethnicity, race, religion, language, culture, or social group—have caused internal conflicts even in countries that seem religiously or culturally unified. In multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual countries, the situation becomes even more complicated. When majorities dominate minorities, it often creates a sense of “otherness” and identity crises, fueling anger and even violent extremism.

Technology has also created a new kind of battleground in everyday life. Today, bad actors use cyberspace and social media to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, harass people (cyberbullying), create fake content (deepfakes), and carry out unethical activities. These “virtual wars” have become major global security concerns, blurring national borders and creating widespread chaos and confusion.

Imperialism and colonialism haven’t disappeared—they’ve simply changed form. Now, powerful countries use soft power and influence to control other nations’ minds and ideas, creating a kind of “invisible empire” like the dystopias imagined by writers like Zamyatin, Huxley, and Orwell. New tools, like “post-truth” politics and distorted facts, are used to confuse people and create narrow, one-sided views. This invisible form of control is at the root of many of today’s security problems. Orwell’s warning—“War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength”—shows the dangerous path we might be heading toward.

But there is hope. An informed and aware population can change this direction. By embracing harmony in diversity—respecting different views, sharing opportunities equally, and supporting compassion, liberty, justice, equality, peace, forgiveness, and playfulness—we can build a more peaceful and united world.

Even small actions, if made in this spirit, can lead to a brighter and more harmonious future for everyone.