1121. Urbanization and Security
- Author:
- Alan Gilbert
- Publication Date:
- 02-1999
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Wilson Center
- Abstract:
- This paper will argue that no consistent or meaningful relationship exists between urbanization and security. For a start, the words urbanisation and security do not mean a great deal because they embrace too many cross-cutting ideas and processes. Second, researchers have found few consistent correlations between the numerous dimensions of security and urbanisation. Third, insofar as one can find a close correlation, independent variables usually account for the statistical relationship. Fourth, even when a direct correlation between security and urbanisation exists, the direction of causation is by no means obvious. Finally, every country and every city contains so much internal variation that most generalisations across nations, let alone across regions, are rendered meaningless.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Security, Civil Society, Development, and Government