Non-Traditional security issues: Environment and Migration- 802
Shaekh Al Tamal-241
Lecture 01
Meaning of security
Security is probability of damage to acquired values.
- David Boldwin, 1997
Some types of security-
▪ National Security
▪ International Security
▪ Regional Security
▪ Global Security
First discussion about security in 1995 at Copenhagen School.
This course focused on Non-traditional security mainly. We would like to know
about traditional and non-traditional security.
Traditional Security
Traditional security primarily focuses on military threats and interstate conflict. It's
rooted in the Cold War era, where the primary concern was the potential for
nuclear annihilation between superpowers.
Key Threats:
o Military aggression
o Territorial disputes
o Arms races
o Balance of power
Primary Actors: States
Response Mechanisms: Military alliances, deterrence strategies, and diplomatic
negotiations.
Non-Traditional Security
Non-traditional security emerged as a concept in the late 20th century, recognizing
that threats to security extend beyond military aggression. It encompasses a
broader range of issues that can undermine a nation's well-being.
Key Threats:
❖ Environmental degradation
❖ Economic crises
❖ Terrorism
❖ Cyberattacks
❖ Migration
❖ Human rights abuses
Environment threats
1. Climate Change
2. Resource Depletion
3. Pollution
Economic threats
1. Global economic crisis
2. Food Security
3. Energy security
Health threats
1. Pandemic & Epidemic
2. Drug trafficking
3. Public health crisis
Social & Political threats
1. Human trafficking
2. Terrorism
3. Cyber Security
4. Migration & Displacement
Primary Actors: States, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international
organizations, and individuals.
Response Mechanisms: International cooperation, sustainable development,
public health initiatives, economic policies, and legal frameworks.
Key Differences
Focus: Traditional security is primarily concerned with military threats, while non-
traditional security focuses on a broader range of issues that can undermine a
nation's well-being.
Actors: Traditional security is primarily concerned with states, while non-
traditional security involves a wider range of actors, including NGOs, international
organizations, and individuals.
Response Mechanisms: Traditional security often involves military responses,
while non-traditional security requires a more comprehensive approach involving
diplomacy, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.
Key Characteristics of Non-Traditional Security Threats:
Transnational: These threats often cross borders and have global implications,
making them difficult to address through unilateral actions.
Non-military: They arise from sources other than military power, such as
environmental degradation, climate change, pandemics, economic crises, and
transnational crime.
Human-centric: Non-traditional security focuses on ensuring the safety, well-
being, and human rights of individuals, rather than solely protecting the interests of
states.
Examples of Non-Traditional Security Threats:
Climate Change: Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity
pose significant risks to human security.
Pandemics: Infectious diseases like COVID-19 can have devastating health,
economic, and social consequences.
Cybersecurity: Attacks on critical infrastructure and data breaches can disrupt
economies and undermine national security.
Human Trafficking: The exploitation of individuals for labor or sex can have
severe human rights implications.
Transnational Crime: Organized crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism pose
threats to law and order and can destabilize regions.
The Shift Towards Non-Traditional Security
The concept of non-traditional security emerged in response to the changing nature
of global challenges. With the end of the Cold War, the traditional focus on military
power and territorial disputes gave way to a recognition of the interconnectedness
of issues and the need for more comprehensive approaches.
Addressing non-traditional security threats often requires cooperation among
governments, international organizations, and civil society. It involves a
combination of diplomatic, economic, social, and environmental measures to
address the root causes of these challenges and build resilience.
Would you like to delve deeper into a specific non-traditional security threat or
explore how countries are responding to these challenges?
Interconnectedness
While traditional and non-traditional security are distinct concepts, they are often
interconnected. For example, climate change can lead to resource scarcity and
conflict, while terrorism can disrupt economic stability and development.
Therefore, a comprehensive approach to security requires addressing both
traditional and non-traditional threats.
Different schools of Security
Realist School of security
Realism and Security: A Foundation in Power Politics
Realism is a dominant school of thought in international relations that views world
politics as an anarchic system where states are the primary actors. It emphasizes
the importance of power, national interest, and the pursuit of security.
Key tenets of realism in relation to security:
Anarchy: The absence of a central authority in the international system means that
states must rely on themselves for their security. This condition creates a
competitive environment where states constantly seek to enhance their power and
influence.
National Interest: States are motivated by their own self-interest and prioritize
their survival and well-being. This often involves the pursuit of power and the
protection of their territory.
Power Politics: The distribution of power among states is a key determinant of
international relations. States seek to maintain a balance of power to prevent any
single state from becoming dominant.
Self-Help: States cannot rely on other actors for their security and must take care
of their own defense. This often involves building up military capabilities and
forming alliances.
Security Dilemma: The actions taken by one state to enhance its security can be
perceived as threatening by other states, leading to a cycle of arms races and
mistrust.
Realist perspectives on security:
Defensive Realism: States should focus on maintaining their status quo and
avoiding aggressive behavior. Cooperation is possible among states with similar
interests.
Offensive Realism: States should strive to become the dominant power in the
international system to ensure their survival. Aggressive behavior and the pursuit
of hegemony are often necessary.
Neo-Realism: A more structural approach to realism that emphasizes the role of
the international system in shaping state behavior. It focuses on the distribution of
power and the balance of power.
In conclusion, realism offers a pessimistic view of international relations,
emphasizing the constant struggle for power and the inevitability of conflict.
Security is seen as a primary concern for states, and the pursuit of power is often
viewed as the most effective way to achieve it.
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Critical School of security
The critical school of security is a subfield within security studies that challenges
traditional approaches to security, particularly those focused on states and military
power. It draws on critical theory and other theoretical perspectives to examine the
social, political, and cultural dimensions of security.
Key characteristics of the critical school of security:
Broader understanding of security: It extends the concept of security beyond
traditional military threats to include issues such as human rights, environmental
security, and economic development.
Social constructionism: It argues that security is not an objective reality but a
social construct that is shaped by cultural, political, and historical factors.
Critique of traditional approaches: It challenges the assumptions of traditional
security studies, which often prioritize states and military power over other
security concerns.
Focus on emancipation: It aims to promote a more just and equitable world by
challenging the structures and practices that perpetuate insecurity.
Key themes and concepts within the critical school of security:
Securitization: The process by which an issue is defined as a security threat and
requires a security response.
Security governance: The ways in which security is managed and regulated at
different levels, from local to global.
Security communities: Groups of states that share common security interests and
cooperate to address them.
Security regimes: Sets of rules and institutions that govern security relations
between states.
Criticisms of the critical school of security:
Some argue that it is too theoretical and does not provide practical solutions to
security challenges. Others criticize its focus on challenging traditional approaches
without offering clear alternatives.
Overall, the critical school of security has made significant contributions to our
understanding of security and has challenged traditional ways of thinking about the
issue. It continues to be a vibrant and influential field of study.
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