Global Security (2022-2023)
(Includes all required readings, key concepts, reading questions, lecture notes)
Lectures:
1. What is Global security?
2. Anarchy, Uncertainty and War
3. Alliances, Coercion and Diplomacy
4. Foreign Military Interventions
5. Counterterrorism and Military Technology
6. Civil war
7. Insurgency and Counterinsurgency
8. The War in Ukraine
9. Gender Dimensions of Peace and Security
10. Peacebuilding and its critics
11. Climate change and human security
12. Cyberwarfare
,Lecture 1: Introduction
Reading Williams & McDonald:
"An Introduction to Security Studies" is a book written by Martin Williams and Mark
McDonald (2018) that provides an overview of the field of security studies. The first 14 pages
of the book provide an introduction to the study of security and its relevance to contemporary
global affairs.
The authors define security as a state of freedom from danger or threat and argue that
security is a fundamental human need that is essential for individuals, states, and the
international community. They also note that security is a complex and multi-faceted concept
that can refer to physical security, economic security, environmental security, and more.
The authors argue that the study of security is important because it helps us to understand
the sources of insecurity and to develop strategies for reducing or eliminating it. They also
argue that security is a crucial aspect of international relations and that it is central to many
global challenges, including conflict, terrorism, and climate change.
The authors then provide an overview of the historical development of security studies and
its evolution from a narrow focus on military security to a more comprehensive and
interdisciplinary approach that includes a wider range of security concerns.
They also introduce the key theories and concepts of security studies, including the realist,
liberal, and constructivist approaches, and provide an overview of the main debates and
controversies in the field.
In conclusion, the first 14 pages of "An Introduction to Security Studies" provide a
comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field of security studies and its relevance
to contemporary global affairs. The authors argue that security is a crucial and complex
concept that requires interdisciplinary and comprehensive approaches to understand and
address the sources of insecurity in our world.
Reading Waever & Buzan (2016):
"After the Return to Theory" is a chapter in the book "Contemporary Security Studies" (2016)
edited by Alan Collins, written by Ole Waever and Barry Buzan. The chapter provides an
overview of the evolution of security studies as a field of study and its relationship with
international relations (IR) theory.
The authors begin by discussing the early days of security studies, when it was narrowly
focused on military security and the study of war. They argue that this narrow focus changed
in the late 20th century when security studies broadened its scope to include a wider range
of security concerns, such as economic security, environmental security, and human
security.
The authors then discuss the return to theory in security studies and its relationship with IR
theory. They argue that security studies has become more closely tied to IR theory in recent
years, and that this has led to a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the
study of security.
,The authors also discuss the current state of security studies and its relationship with IR
theory, arguing that security studies has now become an important part of the larger field of
IR and that it continues to evolve and change in response to new security challenges.
In conclusion, Waever and Buzan argue that security studies has come a long way since its
early days as a narrowly focused field of study. They argue that the return to theory in
security studies has allowed it to become more closely tied to IR theory and has helped to
create a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of security. They
also suggest that security studies will continue to evolve and change in response to new
security challenges in the future.
Key concepts:
Security - a state of freedom from danger or threat and argue that security is a fundamental
human need that is essential for individuals, states, and the international community
Referent object - What needs to be secured? Who needs security?
Deterrence - Deterrence is a strategy used in international relations and military strategy to
prevent an adversary from taking a specific action by threatening to impose severe
consequences if the action is taken. The idea behind deterrence is to create the perception
in the mind of the adversary that the costs of taking the action are higher than any potential
benefits. The threat of retaliation is used as a deterrent to discourage the adversary from
carrying out the action. Deterrence can be achieved through various means, including
military strength, economic sanctions, or diplomatic pressure. It can also be achieved
through a combination of these means. The goal of deterrence is to maintain stability and
peace by preventing conflicts and preventing the escalation of conflicts that do occur.
Reading questions:
What is international security? - International security refers to the measures taken by
nations, organizations, and individuals to ensure their safety and protection from external
threats that may arise from other nations, non-state actors, or other sources of conflict. It
involves the prevention of wars, the control of arms proliferation, the protection of human
rights, and the management of other global issues such as terrorism, cyber warfare, and
climate change.
International security is not just about the use of military force, but also involves diplomacy,
economic sanctions, international law, and other non-military means of resolving conflicts.
The goal of international security is to create a stable and peaceful world order where
nations can coexist and prosper without fear of external threats.
What are the most important threats to international security, and why? - There are
several threats to international security, and the importance of each threat can vary
depending on the region, the political climate, and the nature of the conflict. However, some
of the most important threats to international security include:
1. Terrorism: Terrorism is a significant threat to international security, as it aims to
cause harm and chaos to innocent civilians and undermine the stability of states.
Terrorist groups often use violence and intimidation to achieve their political,
ideological, or religious objectives.
, 2. Nuclear proliferation: The proliferation of nuclear weapons and their potential use by
rogue states or non-state actors is a major concern for international security. Nuclear
weapons are highly destructive and can cause catastrophic consequences for
humanity.
3. Cyber threats: Cyber threats pose a significant risk to international security as they
can disrupt critical infrastructure, steal sensitive information, and manipulate public
opinion. Cyber attacks can come from state-sponsored groups or non-state actors,
and the sophistication of these attacks is continually evolving.
4. Global pandemics: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of
global health systems and the potential for pandemics to spread rapidly across
borders. Infectious diseases can destabilize economies and cause social unrest, and
there is a growing need for international cooperation in addressing global health
threats.
5. Climate change: Climate change poses a significant threat to international security as
it can lead to environmental degradation, natural disasters, and displacement of
populations. Climate change can exacerbate existing conflicts and create new ones,
and it requires global cooperation to address the root causes and mitigate its effects.
Overall, these threats to international security require a coordinated and comprehensive
approach that involves diplomacy, cooperation, and the use of appropriate tools and
strategies to manage and mitigate their effects.
In what ways is the evolution of the field of security studies linked to events in
international history and politics? - The evolution of the field of security studies is closely
linked to events in international history and politics. Major historical events and political
changes have shaped the way we understand security and influenced the development of
security studies as a field of study. Here are some examples:
1. Cold War: The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1947
to 1991 shaped the way security was understood in international politics. The
concept of security was largely defined in terms of military security and the balance
of power between the two superpowers. This led to the development of security
studies as a field of study and the emergence of strategic studies, which focused on
military strategy and nuclear deterrence.
2. 9/11 Attacks: The 9/11 attacks in 2001 marked a significant shift in the way security
was understood in international politics. The attacks highlighted the threat posed by
non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, and the need to address non-traditional
security issues such as transnational terrorism. This led to the development of new
fields of security studies, such as critical security studies and human security.
3. Globalization: The process of globalization, which accelerated in the late 20th
century, has had a significant impact on security studies. Globalization has led to the
emergence of new security threats such as cyber security, economic security, and
environmental security. This has broadened the scope of security studies to include
non-traditional security issues and has led to the development of new approaches to
security such as human security and environmental security.
4. Rise of China: The rise of China as a global superpower has also had a significant
impact on the field of security studies. China's growing military and economic power
has raised concerns about regional and global security, and has led to new debates
about the nature of security and the balance of power in international politics.
