Political Science · Ch 5 — Security in the Contemporary World
Traditional Notions: External
Traditional Notions: External
The traditional view of security is the one most people encounter in news and everyday discussion. It is a state-centric, military-focused idea: the greatest danger to a country comes from military threats posed by other countries. These threats endanger the core values of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and they put the lives of ordinary citizens at risk — war is not a matter of soldiers alone.
When faced with the threat of war, a government has three basic choices:
- Surrender — accept defeat when war actually arrives. Governments never advertise this as policy, but it remains a real option.
- Deterrence — prevent the other side from attacking by promising to raise the costs of war to an unacceptable level. This is the core of preventing war.
- Defence — limit or end a war once it breaks out, by denying the attacker its objectives and turning back or defeating its forces.
Traditional security policy therefore rests on four components.
The four pillars of traditional external security: deterrence, defence, balance of power, and alliance building.
Deterrence and defence are the two direct responses to war — one aims to stop it, the other to manage it.
Balance of power is a more subtle, long-term concern. Governments constantly watch the relative power of other countries, especially neighbours, rivals, or past adversaries. Even if a powerful country shows no immediate hostile intent, its sheer strength is a sign that it could become aggressive in the future. So states work hard to maintain a favourable balance of power — mostly by building up military power, though economic and technological strength matter because they underpin military capability.
Alliance building is the fourth component. An alliance is a coalition of states that coordinate their actions to deter or defend against military attack. Most alliances are formalised in written treaties and clearly identify the threat. Countries join alliances to increase their effective power relative to another country or alliance. Alliances are based on national interests and can shift when those interests change. The textbook gives a sharp example: the US backed Islamic militants in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union in the 1980s, but later attacked them after Al Qaeda’s 9/11 strikes in 2001. …
The cartoon shows a large, imposing building labelled "Nuclear Club". It looks like an exclusive, fortified clubhouse. Standing in front of the closed door are two men in suits — they represent the established nuclear powers (the US, Russia, etc.). One of them holds a sign that reads "No New Members". A third man, smaller and dressed differently, is walking up to the door carrying a briefcase labelled "Nuclear Status". He represents a country like Iran or North Korea that wants to join the nuclear club.
The two men at the door are blocking his entry. They look suspicious and unwelcoming. The clear message is that the big powers decide who gets nuclear weapons and who does not — and they have decided that no new countries should be allowed in. …
The cartoon shows a large, imposing building labelled "Nuclear Club". It looks like an exclusive, fortified clubhouse. Standing in front of the closed door are two men in suits — they represent the established nuclear powers (the US, Russia, etc.). One of them holds a sign that reads "No New Members". A third man, smaller and dressed differently, is walking up to the door carrying a briefcase labelled "Nuclear Status". He represents a country like Iran or North Korea that wants to join the nuclear club.
The two men at the door are blocking his entry. They look suspicious and unwelcoming. The clear message is that the big powers decide who gets nuclear weapons and who does not — and they have decided that no new countries should be allowed in. …