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International Security Studies: Definition and Introductory Sources

definition

"International Security" Defined

"International security has taken new forms in the twenty-first century. The concept of international security as security among states belongs to the twentieth century. Threats are no longer primarily coming from states. Threats are coming from ethnic groups obsessed by hypernationalism, from criminal gangs, mafiosi governance, from epidemics, AIDS, terrorism, dangerous food, from poverty, from economic mismanagement, from over-population, from failed states, from flows of refugees, and, most importantly, from pollution and the effects of pollution, the irrigation and destruction of nature, and the diversification of nature. The victims of the new threats are primarily the single individual (individual or human security), society (societal security), and the globe (global security). The physical and economical survival of the individual is threatened. The survival of societies is threatened, as concerns identity and coherence. The survival of the world as we know it is threatened in the long-run. For the first time in history there is a common, global awareness of the necessity of fighting for the sustainability of the globe."

From "International Security," by Bertel, Heurlin and Kristensen, International Relations, Vol. 2. p.3.

Introductory Books

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