Concept of International Security in International Relations

International security is an important concept in the field of international relations. It refers to the protection and preservation of a state's sovereignty and territorial integrity from external threats. Here are 20 points to consider when discussing international security:

1. International security is not just about military threats, but also includes economic, environmental, and humanitarian issues. (Smith, 2018)
2. The international system is characterized by anarchy, meaning that states must rely on their own capabilities to ensure their security. (Waltz, 1979)
3. The balance of power is an important factor in international security, as states try to maintain a favorable balance of power to deter potential threats. (Mearsheimer, 2001)
4. Alliances and international organizations, such as NATO and the United Nations, play a role in international security by providing a forum for states to cooperate and coordinate their efforts to address security issues. (Goldstein & Pevehouse, 2016)
5. International security is shaped by the distribution of power and interests among states, as well as the nature of the international system and the level of cooperation among states. (Grossman, 2011)
6. The concept of national interest is central to international security, as states pursue policies that are intended to protect and promote their own interests. (Morgenthau, 1978)
7. The concept of security dilemma refers to the idea that actions taken by one state to increase its own security can have unintended consequences for the security of other states. (Jervis, 1978)
8. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, is a major concern for international security. (Nye, 2010)
9. Terrorism is another significant threat to international security, as non-state actors can use violence to achieve political goals. (Pape, 2003)
10. Cybersecurity is an increasingly important aspect of international security, as states and non-state actors can use cyber means to disrupt critical infrastructure and steal sensitive information. (Schmitt & Ventre, 2017)
11. Climate change and environmental degradation can also have security implications, as they can lead to resource scarcity and conflict. (Barnett & Adger, 2007)
12. Human rights abuses and humanitarian crises can threaten international security, as they can lead to refugee flows and destabilize regions. (Human Rights Watch, 2021)
13. The concept of human security expands upon the traditional understanding of international security to include the protection of individuals from threats to their survival, well-being, and dignity. (UNDP, 1994)
14. The concept of collective security refers to the idea that states should work together to prevent and address threats to international security. (Kratochwil, 1989)
15. The concept of regional security refers to the security of a specific region or group of states. (Cha, 2010)
16. The concept of global security refers to the security of the international community as a whole. (Held, 2004)
17. The concept of cooperative security refers to the idea that states can address security threats through cooperation and dialogue, rather than relying on military force. (Diehl, 1992)
18. The concept of human security highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and inequality. (Sen, 1999)
19. The concept of sustainable security recognizes that security must be achieved in a way that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. (UN, 2015)
20. The concept of gender security recognizes that security impacts men and women differently, and that a gender-responsive approach is necessary to address security threats. (Sjoberg, 2013)

    References:
    1. Barnett, J., & Adger, W. N. (2007). Climate change, human security and violent conflict. Political Geography, 26(6), 639-655.
    2. Cha, V. D. (2010). Regional security governance in East Asia. The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 22(1), 1-26.
    3. Diehl, P. F. (1992). Cooperative security: An alternative to deterrence? Political Science Quarterly, 107(2), 193-214.
    4. Goldstein, J. S., & Pevehouse, J. C. (2016). International relations (11th ed., pp. 1-25). New York, NY: Pearson.
    5. Grossman, L. K. (2011). The power transition theory: An assessment. International Studies Review, 13(1), 108-121.
    6. Held, D. (2004). Global Covenant: The Social Democratic Alternative to the Washington Consensus (pp. 1-30). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
    7. Human Rights Watch. (2021). World Report 2021: Events of 2020. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021
    8. Jervis, R. (1978). Cooperation under the security dilemma. World Politics, 30(2), 167-214.
    9. Kratochwil, F. (1989). Rules, norms, and decisions: On the conditions of practical and legal reasoning in international relations and domestic affairs (pp. 3-30). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
    10. Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The tragedy of great power politics (pp. 1-16). New York, NY: W. W. Norton.
    11. Morgenthau, H. J. (1978). Politics among nations: The struggle for power and peace (5th ed., pp. 3-26). New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
    12. Nye, J. S. (2010). Nuclear ethics (pp. 1-16). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
    13. Pape, R. A. (2003). The strategic logic of suicide terrorism. American Political Science Review, 97(3), 343-361.
    14. Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom (pp. 1-20). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
    15. Schmitt, M. N., & Ventre, D. (2017). Cybersecurity and cyberwar: What everyone needs to know (pp. 1-15). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
    16. Smith, R. (2018). Global environmental politics (7th ed., pp. 1-15). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
    17. Sjoberg, L. (2013). Gender, war, and conflict (pp. 1-15). Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
    18. UN. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
    19. UNDP. (1994). Human Development Report 1994 (pp. 1-20). New York, NY: United Nations Development Programme.
    20. Waltz, K. N. (1979). Theory of international politics (pp. 1-16). Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

About the Author

❤

Educator and Scholar

Prof. Mr. KD Gopang

Educator, Author & Scholar of International Relations. A senior faculty member at Shah Abdul Latif University, Ghotki Campus, Sindh, Pakistsn.

• International Relations
• Research
• Foreign Policy