5000 Word Essay 4584 COMPLETE
If the term Security is expanded beyond its traditional meaning, it would mean ‘Everything and Nothing’
Within the study of International Relations, Security has become an incredibly congested term - changing vastly from its military orientated origins. Throughout this examination of security it is crucial to remember that security studies puts particular emphasis onto contemporary challenges thus our perception of security must evolve as threats, and the world does. Barry Buzan divides modern security into five crucial sectors, these being: political, societal, environmental, economic and military1. Military security still exists, and underlies our traditional concept of what security is. Military security is concerned with threats of a military nature both national and non-national. Security has both broadened and deepened into many different sub-categories. Economic security looks to use non military methods - such as sanctions and aid to influence other actors. Environmental security concerning changes in the environment, which could have major implications for human life on earth, and due to its nature requires an international response. Societal security covers the preservation of societies identities, which predominantly derive from either ethno-national or religious. The idea of human security further deepens the meaning of security to a far more individual, and personal perspective. These are not the sum of all the variations of security, the term security does appear to loose part of its meaning as a consequence of these iterations. These new variations of security do however give us an additional perspective in rationalising issues. The term security adds considerable political weight to a cause. However a word can only be so powerful; traditionally military issues were at the centre of political debate with areas such as the environment on the periphery, by labelling these security they rise in importance as it implies a threat if not addressed,
Within the study of International Relations, Security has become an incredibly congested term - changing vastly from its military orientated origins. Throughout this examination of security it is crucial to remember that security studies puts particular emphasis onto contemporary challenges thus our perception of security must evolve as threats, and the world does. Barry Buzan divides modern security into five crucial sectors, these being: political, societal, environmental, economic and military1. Military security still exists, and underlies our traditional concept of what security is. Military security is concerned with threats of a military nature both national and non-national. Security has both broadened and deepened into many different sub-categories. Economic security looks to use non military methods - such as sanctions and aid to influence other actors. Environmental security concerning changes in the environment, which could have major implications for human life on earth, and due to its nature requires an international response. Societal security covers the preservation of societies identities, which predominantly derive from either ethno-national or religious. The idea of human security further deepens the meaning of security to a far more individual, and personal perspective. These are not the sum of all the variations of security, the term security does appear to loose part of its meaning as a consequence of these iterations. These new variations of security do however give us an additional perspective in rationalising issues. The term security adds considerable political weight to a cause. However a word can only be so powerful; traditionally military issues were at the centre of political debate with areas such as the environment on the periphery, by labelling these security they rise in importance as it implies a threat if not addressed,
Bibliography: Hobbes leviathan A clash of civilisations Barry Buzan, “The ‘War on Terrorism’ as the new Macro-Securitization”, Oslo Workshop papers, Oslo, 2006, 1.