Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World
Introduction to Security:
Security means protection from threats, which can range from military attacks to personal safety issues.
National security usually refers to protecting a country from external dangers, but it can also include internal safety like crime or economic threats.
Security should be a concern for everyone, not just governments or experts.
Traditional Security:
Focuses on protecting a country from external military threats (e.g., wars, invasions).
Main elements include:
Deterrence: Preventing war by being strong enough to discourage attacks.
Defense: Fighting back if attacked to protect sovereignty.
Balance of Power: Ensuring no country becomes too powerful.
Alliances: Countries form military partnerships to defend against common threats.
Internal Security:
Protecting a country from internal threats such as terrorism, separatist movements, or civil wars.
After World War II, many countries, especially powerful ones like the US and Soviet Union, felt internal security was stable and focused more on external threats.
However, newly-independent countries (like those in Asia and Africa) often faced both internal and external threats.
Cooperation in Traditional Security:
Countries can work together to limit violence through:
Disarmament: Giving up certain types of weapons (e.g., biological or chemical weapons).
Arms Control: Regulating the development or use of weapons (e.g., treaties limiting nuclear weapons).
Confidence Building: Sharing military information to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to war.
Non-Traditional Security:
Expands beyond military threats to include issues like terrorism, global health, poverty, and environmental disasters.
The focus is not just on protecting the state but also on human security, which means protecting people from threats like hunger, disease, and natural disasters.
New Sources of Threats:
Non-traditional threats include:
Terrorism: Political violence targeting civilians to create fear and force governments to act.
Human Rights Violations: When governments or groups harm their own people, leading to global concerns about justice.
Global Poverty: Inequality between countries, with rich countries growing richer and poor countries struggling, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa.
Health Epidemics: Diseases like HIV/AIDS and bird flu spread rapidly, affecting not just one country but the world.
India’s Security Strategy:
Military Strength: India has strengthened its military, especially due to conflicts with Pakistan and China.
International Cooperation: India supports global treaties and the UN to promote peace and security.
Internal Security: India deals with internal threats like separatist movements through democracy and political engagement.
Economic Development: Reducing poverty and inequality is seen as part of national security, as it strengthens the country from within.
