2nd Edition
International Security Studies Theory and Practice
This new and updated edition of International Security Studies provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the subject of security studies, with a strong emphasis on the use of case studies to illustrate theoretical debates.
In addition to presenting the major theoretical perspectives, the book examines a range of important and controversial topics in covering both traditional military and non-military security issues such as WMD proliferation, humanitarian intervention, food security and environmental security. The volume also offers a wide range of case studies providing detailed analyses of important global security issues.
The 37 chapters contain pedagogical features and recommended further reading and are divided into five thematic sections:
- Conceptual and Theoretical
- Military Security
- Non-Military Security
- Institutions and Security
- Case Studies
Updates for the second edition include:
- New chapters on cybersecurity and the insecurity of the LGBT community.
- Substantial revisions to existing chapters to incorporate analysis of important international political developments, including the Trump Presidency; ‘Brexit’; North Korean nuclear standoff; the Syrian Civil War; Yemen Civil War; Mediterranean migration crisis; Climate change diplomacy and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This textbook will be essential reading for all students of security studies and highly recommended for students of critical security studies, human security, peace and conflict studies, foreign policy and International Relations in general.
Section I: Conceptual and theoretical
1. Framing a discipline Shahin Malik
2. The traditional routes to security: realism and liberalism Edward Smith
3. Challenging orthodoxy: critical security studies Shahin Malik
4. Feminist security studies Wendy Stokes
5. Human security Shahin Malik
6. Constructing security Shahin Malik
Section II: Military security
7. Reflecting on war and peace Bruce Pilbeam
8. New wars, globalisation and failed states Bruce Pilbeam
9. Nuclear Proliferation Andrew Moran
10. The international arms trade in conventional weapons Bruce Pilbeam
11. Terrorism Andrew Moran
12. Religion and international conflict Jeffrey Haynes
13. Intelligence and security Andrew Moran
14. The rise of private military and security companies Bruce Pilbeam
Section III: Non-military security
15. Environmental security Peter Hough
16. Crime and security Peter Hough
17. The Securitization of LGBT Communities in Uganda Martin Ridley
18. Food security Peter Hough
19. Health and security Peter Hough
20. Disasters and security Peter Hough
21. Migration and security Peter Hough and Bruce Pilbeam
22. Cybersecurity Andrew Moran
Section IV: Institutions and security
23. The United Nations and the Responsibility to Protect Bruce Pilbeam
24. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation: Continuity and Change Andrew Moran
25. Regional Security Organisations Peter Hough
Section V: Case studies
26. The United States: finding a role in the post-cold war and post-9/11 eras Andrew Moran
27. Russia, the Black Sea Region and Security Tunc Aybak
28. China: Security and Threat Perceptions Peter Hough and Shahin Malik
29. Security in Europe: the triumph of institution building? Dermot McCann
30. Security in Africa Peter Hough
31. The Arctic Peter Hough
32. The Arab Spring and Democracy: Problems and Prospects Jeffrey Haynes
33. The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Ronald Ranta
34. Korea Peter Hough
35. Latin America Lloyd Pettiford and Neil Hughes
36. Space and Security Ian Shields
37. Conclusion: where to next? Shahin Malik
Biography
Peter Hough is an Associate Professor in International Relations at Middlesex University, UK.
Andrew Moran is an Associate Professor and Head of Politics and International Relations at London Metropolitan University, UK.
Bruce Pilbeam is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at London Metropolitan University, UK.
Wendy Stokes is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at London Metropolitan University, UK.
Praise for the 1st edition:
'Viewed in the larger social context security embraces every dimension of human life, yet we persist in defining it according to our own narrow preoccupations. The authors of this book have done a signal service in bringing together in one volume so many diverse viewpoints. In doing so, they have added significantly to our understanding of war and peace.' -- Christopher Coker, London School of Economics, UK
'It has been commonly accepted for many years now that security is an essentially contested concept, and analysts have sought to find ways of expressing the full meaning of that realisation in forms that students can comfortably digest. There have been a number of such attempts. This volume achieves that end incredibly well. It does so through a comprehensiveness of approach and a subtlety of interpretation that will no doubt benefit successive cohorts of those studying this elusive concept.'--Stuart Croft, University of Warwick, UK
'An excellent teaching resource, written with students in mind, accessible, expansive in scope and yet detailed with a wide range of relevant case studies. An indispensable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students. If you only buy one book on security this has to be it.'
—Lee Marsden, University of East Anglia, UK'This collection of original essays succeeds brilliantly in its three central aims: to map the intellectual currents within the discipline of International Security Studies; to survey the contemporary international security environment; and to consider key cases. The book combines breadth with depth, enabling students to understand vital aspects of international politics. Recommended without reservation.’ -- John Dumbrell, Durham University, UK
'International Security Studies is an essential introductory text for students. It frames the core intellectual debates that have defined the discipline by giving readers an accessible grounding in a broad range of contending understandings of security from realism to post-colonialism. It provides a compelling overview of the contemporary security environment and explores a comprehensive listing of key topics from nuclear proliferation to natural disasters. Moreover, it offers detailed regional and thematic case studies as a means of demonstrating how the theoretical and conceptual insights of security studies can be applied to better understand the security dynamics that are critical to world politics. The variety of cases on offer will capture the imaginations of students from those interested in the security challenges emerging in the aftermath of the Arab Spring to those yearning to learn more about the militarization of outer-space. In sum, International Security Studies offers an excellent mix of theoretical and empirical material that delivers a comprehensive and sophisticated, yet student-friendly, overview of contemporary security studies.' -- Kyle Grayson, Newcastle University, UK
'This is an ambitious and successful book – which is good because it is also a necessary book. The authors present an exhaustive look at security with chapters on theoretical approaches, to chapters on old and new topics in security (such as the intersections of security with religion, the environment, and crime and security among others), to chapters on country case studies. This book will become the standard for security studies courses for its breadth, writing and consistency.' -- Laura Neack, Miami University, USA
