The twenty-first century has seen millions unemployed, livelihoods undermined by environmental degradation, and middle-class cities across Europe and Asia turned into cauldrons of violence. The lessons of conflicts in places like Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq are that security is no longer achievable.

Introduction -- The twenty-first century risks -- The twentieth-century mindset -- The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq -- "Escorting kids to kindergarten": human security in action -- The anatomy of human security -- Remnants of the past and spoilers of the future: "hard" versus "soft" security? -- Africa: a beacon of hope? -- The ultimate weapon.