International relationsLesson 1 of 2 in the course International security

International Security: Theories, Gender, and Human Security

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

International security concerns how states and international organizations work to ensure mutual survival and safety. This lesson introduces the concept, its development as an academic field, and the expanding range of issues understood as security concerns.

International security refers to measures taken by states and organizations—including the United Nations and European Union—to support mutual survival and safety. These measures can include military action as well as diplomacy, treaties, and conventions. National and international security are closely linked: a state's security concerns do not stop at its borders, and international conditions can affect the safety of its people.

All flashcards

Human security
An approach that prioritizes people's safety, well-being, and dignity alongside state security.
Anarchy in international relations
The absence of a central authority above states able to regulate their interactions.
Security dilemma
A situation in which one state's security measures can make other states feel less secure.
Mission creep
The expansion of an intervention beyond its original purpose.
Freedom from want
Protection from deprivation through access to conditions and resources for basic well-being.

Quiz questions

  1. In traditional international security, what does the term anarchy mean?Answer: No central authority above states can regulate their interactions.
  2. How does neorealism differ from classical realism in explaining state behavior?Answer: It emphasizes the structure of the international system.
  3. What role do international institutions play in liberal institutionalism?Answer: They can shape state behavior and help prevent conflict despite anarchy.
  4. What does constructivism emphasize when explaining security perceptions?Answer: Social, cultural, and historical meanings shape how actors interpret events.
  5. Who is the referent object of human security?Answer: The individual person.

Based on the Wikipedia article International security, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in International relations

All International relations lessons
International relationsRealism in International Relations: Power, Polarity, and Its Major Branches5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →International relationsContemporary IPE: Globalization, Trade, Crises, and Exchange Rates5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →International relationsLiberal International Relations: Cooperation, Historical Roots, and Key Debates5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →International relationsMilitary, Economic, and Political Power in International Relations5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →International relationsNeorealism: Structure, Security, and Theoretical Debates5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →International relationsSovereignty, Anarchy, and Cooperation Without a World Government5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →