The Paradox of Human (in)-Security: A Study of East Timor and Papua New Guinea

The present chapter is an attempt to delve deeper into the paradoxes of human (in)-security in the two most fragile oceanic states of the Pacific; East Timor and Papua New Guinea. Using this theoretical perspective of human security this chapter intends to analyze the reason and factors which had led to the birth of an acute human security crisis in these two states. Despite being resource-rich countries, how unplanned socio-political policies and the specter of colonial history have invigorated the crisis in these two states is what the study aims to justify. Divided into four major sections the chapter proceeds with an initial bird’s eye view of understanding the question of “human security,” followed by a detailed introspection on the profile of the two case studies with a specific focus on understanding the paradox of poverty and health (in)-security in these two states. Finally, the chapter concludes with a policy perspective for the two states in mitigating the problems for a desired future outcome.