Social Cohesion: As a Pillar of National Security

by Amleset Negash G. Hiwet

Social cohesion has increasingly emerged as one of the most significant pillars of modern national
security, alongside the recognition of national borders and sovereignty. Throughout history, powerful
states have adopted tactical and strategic methods of warfare aimed at weakening and destabilizing
rival nations. Within this context, social cohesion has frequently become a principal target. In recent
decades, numerous countries have witnessed social fragmentation and the gradual erosion of national
social structures, leading to the rise of subnational divisions and fractured societal entities.

In the contemporary international system, cohesive societies at the national level possess greater
capacity to sustain peace, stability, and security while simultaneously consolidating political and
economic institutions. Today, issues related to securitization and stabilization in regional and
international politics frequently eclipse the developmental and growth initiatives that once dominated
the global political agenda. As a result, many nations increasingly struggle to safeguard their
nationhood in the face of distorted social orders and the risk of political collapse.

The Strategic Value of Social Cohesion

A nation derives considerable advantages from strong social cohesion, including shared national
norms and values, confidence in political leadership and public institutions, a collective sense of
identity, and cooperative behavior among diverse social groups. As sociologist Émile Durkheim
argued, social solidarity forms the basis of social order and stability. In cohesive societies,
individuals perceive themselves as members of a broader collective community, a perception that
promotes cooperation and adherence to social norms.

Discussions of national security often emphasize military capabilities or geopolitical influence.
Contemporary security studies, however, increasingly highlight internal social stability as a crucial
element of national resilience and long-term security.

A nation characterized by strong internal stability—such as Eritrea—cultivates a shared national
identity in which the psychosocial bonds among citizens transcend subordinate affiliations and
identities. Within such a context, protecting national identity becomes synonymous with defending
national interests. This dynamic deepens citizens’ loyalty to the state and stimulates civic
engagement as a national responsibility.

Political and Economic Stability

Political and economic stability can be conceptualized as dependent outcomes of social cohesion.
Cohesive society functions both as a survival mechanism during times of crisis and as a catalyst for
growth during periods of development. Consequently, cohesive societies generate the essential
foundations of national stability, security, and resilience.

According to Émile Durkheim, a strong relationship exists between social cohesion and the
continued integration of the nation-state. Societies characterized by networks of trust, shared norms,
and collective identities are better positioned to produce cooperative environments that support
political stability and enhance national security.

The significance of cohesive societies extends beyond internal equilibrium. Such societies are also
capable of accommodating diverse political perspectives while sustaining national unity. They
facilitate alignment between citizens’ aspirations and state objectives, inspire participation in
national narratives that promote unity, and cultivate loyalty toward governmental institutions and
decision-making processes.

Cultivating Social Cohesion in a Globalized Era

Given its importance for national security and societal survival, resilient societies must continuously
nurture and deepen a cohesive national culture. This necessity has become particularly evident in the
contemporary era of globalization, marked by transnational political mobilization, rapid
technological advancement, and the expansion of digital communication.

Modern societies are increasingly exposed to diverse political norms, ideologies, and cultural
influences that shape public discourse and identity formation. In such an environment, sustaining
social cohesion requires deliberate efforts to promote shared values and collective national identity.
During periods of economic hardship, armed conflict, or natural disasters, socially cohesive societies
display greater capacity for collective action. Citizens are more likely to cooperate with government
initiatives designed to mobilize national resources and respond to crises while simultaneously
supporting one another within their communities. Under these conditions, governments can
implement necessary policies with anchored stakeholder consensus, thereby reducing risks of
fragmentation and unrest.

Social Cohesion at the Grassroots Level

Social cohesion can also be understood as a grassroots political principle that underpins national
security and stability. Public institutions—including educational systems, local communities, cultural
traditions, civic organizations, public services, and governmental structures—play a decisive role in
cultivating and sustaining cohesive societies.

Grassroots cohesion can be advanced through mechanisms that expand political participation and
deepen citizen–state relations. These mechanisms include creating platforms for citizen involvement
in public life, strengthening community networks, and advancing a shared national culture that
prioritizes collective identity.

Equally important is the integration of constructive approaches to conflict management within local
governance structures where citizens actively participate. Grassroots political engagement empowers
citizens not only to take part in governance but also to establish community-based institutions that
anchor national cohesion.

Cross-Border Nationalism: The Role of the Diasporas

In the contemporary globalized environment, social cohesion increasingly extends beyond national
borders. Migration, globalization, and transnational networks have amplified the influence of
diaspora communities in shaping national identity and political participation.

Strong cohesive societies often generate a form of cross-border nationalism in which diaspora
communities maintain deep emotional, cultural, and political connections with their homeland. These
ties motivate diaspora populations to advocate for the political, social, and economic interests of their
country within the international arena.

The strength of such transnational engagement largely depends on the psychosocial bonds linking
citizens to their state. When strong state–citizen relationships exist domestically, diaspora
communities are more inclined to remain involved in national affairs and to defend their country’s
sovereignty and interests abroad.

In the Eritrean context, for example, members of the diaspora frequently participate in activities
related to national interests on a voluntary basis, viewing such involvement as a civic duty. They
advocate for their collective identity and national sovereignty regardless of their physical distance
from the country. In this sense, social cohesion not only supports domestic stability but also projects
its influence internationally through cross-border nationalism.

Social Erosion and the Risks of Fragmentation

When internal social stability weakens, social erosion often emerges as a consequential outcome.
Societies experiencing declining cohesion may become increasingly vulnerable to political
polarization, economic inequality, rapid cultural transformation, and external ideological influence.
These cumulative pressures can generate long-term risks for national security and stability,
ultimately undermining national unity. Nations that fail to recognize social cohesion as a central
component of national security may confront political, social, and economic vacuums in which
institutional weaknesses and widespread instability intensify.

If societies cannot sustain political stability through the promotion of shared cultural identity and
collective belonging, they may become susceptible to external pressures and internal divisions. In
such contexts, social erosion gradually produces fragmentation, reinforcing subordinate identities
and generating internal insecurity within the framework of national sovereignty.

A cohesive society possesses the capacity to recognize the dangers associated with fragmentation
and internal erosion. When social cohesion declines, divisions can easily be exploited by external
actors seeking to manipulate domestic dynamics. Such conditions often generate political
polarization and identity-based conflicts that threaten the continuity of the nation-state.
Since its independence, Eritrea has acknowledged the crucial role of social cohesion in the process of
nation-building. The country has adopted various mechanisms aimed at cultivating internal stability
and promoting a collective national identity.

Consequently, Eritrea’s national security and political stability can be understood as evolving from
the foundational mechanisms of social cohesion. Safeguarding and deepening this cohesion remain a
central priority, serving as a principal driver of national security, societal stability, and long-term
development.

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