Ibn Khaldun’s Concept of Security

Abstract

This study aims at determining Ibn Khaldun’s theorical form of security, by formulating a new reading in which historical and contemporary aspects are gathered in a one mold, through two issues: the first one is related to the state policy in achieving security; the second to the security conditions that the state must take into account in the cities’ planning. It also aims at reviving the contributions of the heritage of the Arab-Islamic civilization circle which is lacking in the strategic thinking compared with the contributions of the heritage of the Western civilization. Achieving security according to Ibn Khaldun depends on achieving justice and promoting people’s rights. He thinks that, building countries is linked strategically to security in its military, environmental, health, and economic dimensions, a modern vision that goes beyond the traditional perspective of the security concept which was focusing on the military dimension, and whish is in accordance with the United nations reports that emphasize on the importance of social justice and the promotion of rights in achieving human security.