Security in International Relations

Prepared for Junior Int'l Politics class at NENU, Fall 2015

Assumptions: State Security under Anarchy

Do states want survival, security, or power?

Survival: Ability to Defend against Existential Threat

Mearshimer's Offensive Realism: Existential threat is constant & present everywhere.

What states face existential threat? When do states disappear?

“Buffer” states Weak states with strong enemies nearby Internal collapse World & regional wars

Do the above conditions describe the current global situation?

States Are “Security-Seekers”? Survival & Lack of Major Threats

Minimize “sensitivity” to threats Eliminate ALL “vulnerability”

Military Security (National Defense) Energy Security

International Security & “The Security Dilemma” How can states know whether military build-up is for

defensive or offensive purposes? The Security Dilemma: Your attempt to increase your

security by building your military makes me feel less secure. If unchecked, the Security Dilemma can lead to an “Arms

Race” State security as a “Zero-Sum Game”

A “+win+” for me is a “-loss-” for you A “+win+” for you is a “-loss-” for me 1 – 1 = 0!

Goal of Int'l Security Institutions: Build trust & make security a “Positive-Sum Game” (Our actions make each other more secure.)

States Are “Power-Seekers”? Realism: The best (or only) way to be secure is to be

powerful. Seek security through power. Power in IR = Money in Economics

Under anarchy, pursue “self-help” via military power Form alliances to create a stable “balance of power” Try to become a (regional or global) hegemon

Liberalism, Idealism, Constructivism, “Social” Theories, Etc.: “Collective Security” is possible & preferable to endless power competition & warfare.

A universal organization (global institution) to which both the aggressor and its opponents belong can manage global conflict and provide security for all.

Alternative Conceptions of Security “Human Security”: State provides basic human

rights & enjoys high domestic legitimacy Prosperity: States promote “human flourishing”

Today we can have both “butter” and “guns”

“Ontological Security”: Being secure in one's identity in the “international community.”