Paradiplomacy and Security

This chapter situates the importance of the theme (or motivation) “security” for the internationalization of subnational and local territories through their non-central governments, due to the fact that for a long time, it was considered a residual issue by local governments because it is a high political issue exclusive to the central government. To this end, the chapter reviews and analyzes the prospects for the implementation of paradiplomacy in four types of security: International security. Paradiplomacy can be identified as an auxiliary mechanism to face the new challenges of the international security agenda, such as migration control, management of ecological issues, or denuclearization and promotion of peace. Cross-border security. Special treatment is given to the border situation when dealing with national security; in some way, the borders are involved. Under the logic of cross-border cooperation, paradiplomatic studies on security are the most prolific through the promotion of regional concertation to solve border tensions and problems. National, domestic, or internal security. The emergence of new security threats is not directly related to the state but to other elements such as individuals and societies containing religious or ethnic minorities or problems related to the environment. Paradiplomacy can be an instrument for reducing the transnational dimensions of ethnic conflicts, armed conflicts such as civil wars, guerrilla warfare, terrorism, and drug trafficking. Human and citizen security. The influence of cities through their diverse associations, alliances, and networks promotes security through the development of public policies, the dissemination of good practices, and the exchange of experiences.