Security is not so much the study of security but instead it is the study of insecurity, and more importantly, how to prevent it. A state may become insecure for many reasons: geographic location, poor economy, natural disaster, declining population etcetera. But what does these examples entail in concrete terms? Realists argue that all these areas of insecurity are in effect weaknesses in power. Power stands at the pivotal point between the nations with a high level of security and those that are struggling to keep their heads above water. According to realists, security can be measured in terms of power, specifically military power. In the following essay I will discuss the aspects of realism that apply to security and the counter arguments that challenge realism as well.
The foundation of the realist approach to security stems from a study of history. When certain constants could be ascertained that were not subject to particular circumstances or situations they made up the basis for realist security theories.
Famous posthumous portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli...
The frontispiece of the book Leviathan by Thomas H...
The front cover for the book "The Clash of Civiliz...Realist theories focus on the importance of power and human nature�fs unrelenting hunger for it. Realists describe the international system as anarchic as there is no supranational structure to govern over the individual sovereign units of the world. States are essentially able to act as they wish, as there is no absolute sovereign power to restrict them. The nation-state represents the individual unit in the international system. States are only constrained by the effects of the actions of other states. There is no decided process by which to resolve international conflicts and states reserve the capacity to use force, if they are so endowed, to further their own interest. The result of this is that states are constantly at risk from forceful advances by other states. Therefore in order to maintain a decent level...