Security in International Relations Prepared for Junior Int'l Politics class at NENU, Fall 2015

Assumptions: State Security under Anarchy Do states want survival, security, or power?

Survival: Ability to Defend against Existential Threat Mearshimer's Offensive Realism: Existential threat is constant & present everywhere. What states face existential threat? When do states disappear?  “Buffer” states  Weak states with strong enemies nearby  Internal collapse  World & regional wars Do the above conditions describe the current global situation?

States Are “Security-Seekers”? Survival & Lack of Major Threats  Minimize “sensitivity” to threats  Eliminate ALL “vulnerability” Military Security (National Defense) Energy Security

International Security & “The Security Dilemma” How can states know whether military build-up is for defensive or offensive purposes?  The Security Dilemma: Your attempt to increase your security by building your military makes me feel less secure.  If unchecked, the Security Dilemma can lead to an “Arms Race” State security as a “Zero-Sum Game”  A “+win+” for me is a “-loss-” for you  A “+win+” for you is a “-loss-” for me  1 – 1 = 0! Goal of Int'l Security Institutions: Build trust & make security a “Positive-Sum Game” (Our actions make each other more secure.)

States Are “Power-Seekers”? Realism : The best (or only) way to be secure is to be powerful. Seek security through power. Power in IR = Money in Economics  Under anarchy, pursue “self-help” via military power  Form alliances to create a stable “balance of power”  Try to become a (regional or global) hegemon Liberalism, Idealism, Constructivism, “Social” Theories, Etc.: “Collective Security” is possible & preferable to endless power competition & warfare.  A universal organization (global institution) to which both the aggressor and its opponents belong can manage global conflict and provide security for all.

Alternative Conceptions of Security “Human Security”: State provides basic human rights & enjoys high domestic legitimacy Prosperity: States promote “human flourishing”  Today we can have both “butter” and “guns” “Ontological Security”: Being secure in one's identity in the “international community.”