Intro Flashcards
When did International Security begin to gain real traction?
the early Cold War
What is the significance of the term ‘global’ instead of ‘international’ in the context of security?
use of ‘global’ instead of ‘international’ is a post-Cold War symbolic change rather than a substantive change
Despite the emphasis on “security”, what does Global Security really focus on?
“insecurity”
How can we define security?
freedom from worry, anxiety, or apprehension; confidence in one’s safety or well-being
What is the ideal goal in international security?
to manage or mitigate security challenges, ideally without creating more
not about solving security challenges
What areas are Global Security focused on?
the threat or use of violence
questions about wars and armed conflicts
What has traditionally been the emphasis in international security studies?
a traditional emphasis on states and the international system
What shift is occurring in the field of international security?
an increasing (though slowing) emphasis on non-state actors and “human security”
What is a concrete example of security?
defence spending budgets
What are the key policy questions regarding security spending?
- Is the allocation of funds correct?
- Should more or less money be spent?
What are some ways to manage or mitigate security challenges?
organisations
alliances
militaries
diplomacy
intelligence services
protective services
What can legitimate security concerns lead to?
security bureaucracies that take on a life of their own
What are some risks associated with security bureaucracies?
large military-industrial complex, government abuses, military coups
What is the challenge in security management about?
not merely a matter of managing security threats but also managing the means of managing security threats
What are the 4 S’s of the Cold War paradigm?
States
Strategy
Science
Status-quo
What is meant by “states” in the Cold War paradigm?
the most important agents and referents of security in international politics
What is meant by “strategy” in the Cold War paradigm?
core intellectual and practical concerns revolved around devising the best means of employing the threat and use of military force
What is meant by “science” in the Cold War paradigm?
analysts adopt scientific methods to create reliable base of knowledge on which policies can be based
What is meant by “status-quo” in the Cold War paradigm?
preventing radical and revolutionary change/preventing global catastrophes
Why is 1983 “the year that changed everything”?
publication of Barry Buzan’s “People, States, and Fear”
How did Barry Buzan redefine security in his 1983 work?
not just about states but relates to the human collective and should not be confined to military force
What are the 5 elements of Buzan’s concept of security?
Military
Political
Economic
Societal
Environmental
What does the military element of Buzan’s security concept focus on?
Traditional strategic studies
What does the political element of Buzan’s security concept focus on?
Organisational stability of states, systems of government, and the ideologies that give them legitimacy
What does the economic element of Buzan’s security concept focus on?
Access to resources, finance, and markets necessary to sustain acceptable levels of welfare and state power
What does the societal element of Buzan’s security concept focus on?
The sustainability and evolution of traditional patterns of language, culture, and religious and national identity
What does the environmental element of Buzan’s security concept focus on?
The maintenance of the local and planetary biosphere as the essential support system for all human enterprises
What would become more prominent in security studies after Buzan’s work?
Gender issues
How did the military focus in security studies change over time?
After 1991, the military focus declined
After 2001, the military focus was revived
Whose security interests have the biggest impact on world politics?
international organisations and states, rather than individuals
How does the size and wealth of states affect security interests?
Big states have more influence than small states, and wealthy states have more power than poor states
What is the impact of military power on security interests?
Militarily powerful states have greater security influence than military weak states
What is the academic debate regarding the focus of security studies?
whether the focus should be broadened or narrowed
