DYNAMICS OF INTERNATIONAL

SECURITY
 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

• According to Barry Buzan “Security is about the ability of states and societies to maintain their
independent identity and their functional integrity”.
What is International Security
• International Security, also called global security refers to the amalgamation of measures taken
by states and international organizations to ensure mutual survival and security. Such measures
are
• Armed Operations/Military engagements
• Diplomatic agreements
• National and International Security are invariably linked. International security refers to
protecting national or state security within the broader global context.
 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

• After World War II, a new academic discipline emerged, focusing on international security.
Initially, it developed as an independent field but was later incorporated as a subfield of
International Relations (IR).
• Since gaining prominence in the 1950s, the study of international security has become central to
IR, encompassing various areas such as security studies, strategic studies, and peace studies,
among others.
• The concept of "security" is often regarded as an "unacknowledged consensus," with its scope
expanding significantly over the years
• . Today, international security encompasses a wide range of interconnected issues critical to
survival in International Relations.
 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

• It includes traditional military power, the causes and consequences of interstate wars, and
economic strength, along with ethnic, religious, and ideological conflicts. Additionally, it
addresses trade disputes, energy supplies, advancements in science and technology, and
food security.
• Beyond these, threats to human security and state stability, such as environmental
degradation, infectious diseases, climate change, and the actions of non-state actors, are
also integral to the modern understanding of international security.
• While the broad perspective of international security considers a wide range of issues as
security matters, the traditional approach primarily emphasizes military concerns, often
focusing exclusively on military issues.
 THE TRADITIONAL NOTION OF
NATIONAL SECURITY

• For much of the Cold War period, the idea of security was synonymous with national
security, primarily defined in militarized terms.
• The focus during this time was on the military capabilities that states needed to develop in
order to defend against perceived threats.
• Both academic and policy discussions were centered on how nations could strengthen their
defense systems and secure their borders from external aggression.
• However, this traditional view of national security faced criticism for being too narrow and
ethnocentric. Focusing almost exclusively on military threats and state actors, it ignored
other crucial security dimensions that affect both individuals and global communities.
 THE EXPANSION OF THE SECURITY
THREAT

• One of the leading voices advocating for a more expansive understanding of security is Barry
Buzan, who in his seminal work People, States, and Fear (1983), argued that security should
encompass not only military threats but also political, economic, societal, and environmental
concerns.
• Buzan’s framework suggests that security is not confined to national borders or military might;
instead, it must also take into account the well-being of people, the stability of economies, and
the health of the environment.
• According to Buzan, the interdependence of nations in the global system makes it necessary to
move beyond a narrow national security focus and consider broader international and global
security issues.
 TRADITIONAL AND NON-
TRADITIONAL SECURITY THREATS
 EVOLUTION OF SECURITY

• Security has always been a central theme in international relations, shaping the interactions
between states for centuries.
• Traditionally, security was understood in terms of deterrence against external aggression, with a
primary focus on safeguarding a state's borders from military threats.
• Throughout history, from Sun Tzu's teachings to Clausewitz's writings, this militaristic view of
security has dominated the thinking of rulers and governments. Monarchies, empires, and
modern states have built powerful militaries to ensure their sovereignty and independence.
• However, in the modern era, the concept of security has expanded significantly, incorporating
multiple dimensions beyond mere military defense.
 TRADITIONAL SECURITY

• For much of human history, security was synonymous with military power. States invested in
large armies, sophisticated weapons, and modernized troops to defend their territories from
external enemies.
• The ability to secure borders and maintain independence was seen as the primary function of
the state, leading to the development of vast defense infrastructures.
• As Barry Buzan notes, security in this context referred to the capability of a state to maintain its
independence, ideology, and functional integrity through the use of force, if necessary.
• While traditional security remains relevant today, the exclusive focus on military strength is no
longer sufficient to address the complex and multifaceted threats facing modern states.
 NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY

Definitions
• "Non-traditional security encompasses challenges to the survival and well-being of peoples and
states that arise primarily out of non-military sources and cannot be resolved by military force
alone.“ - Amitav Acharya

• "Non-traditional security (NTS) issues are challenges to the survival and well-being of peoples
and states that arise primarily out of non-military sources, such as climate change, infectious
diseases, natural disasters, irregular migration, food shortages, people smuggling, drug
trafficking, and transnational crime.” -Mely Caballero-Anthony
 NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY

Political Security
• Political security refers to the stability and continuity of governance within a state, ensuring the
peaceful transfer of power and maintaining political stability. It is a crucial pillar of modern
security, as political stability often underpins a country's ability to project power and influence
on the global stage.
• For example, the United States has maintained global dominance largely due to its long-
standing tradition of political security, characterized by peaceful transitions of power since
1797. Similarly, China’s economic rise can be attributed to its political stability, which has
fostered business confidence and economic growth since the late 20th century.
 NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY

Economic Security
• Economic security has become a cornerstone of non-traditional security in the 21st century. A
strong, stable economy not only improves the quality of life for a nation's citizens but also
enhances its standing in the international community.
• The economic reforms initiated by China's President Deng Xiaoping in the late 20th century
are a prime example of how economic security can propel a nation to global prominence.
• China's rapid economic growth, with a GDP now standing at approximately $19 trillion, has
lifted 900 million people out of poverty and solidified China’s influence on the global stage
through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO), and BRICS Plus.
 NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY

Societal Security
• Societal security focuses on the peaceful coexistence of various communities, ethnicities, and
religious groups within a state. In an increasingly interconnected world, fostering tolerance
and unity among diverse populations is critical for maintaining internal stability.
• In Pakistan, however, growing intolerance and polarization have undermined societal security.
Ethnic and sectarian tensions have eroded the fabric of national unity, leading to internal
conflicts and instability.
• To address these challenges, Pakistan must adopt a model of peaceful coexistence,
emphasizing tolerance, debate, and acceptance to achieve societal peace.
 NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY

Environmental Security
• In the 21st century, environmental security has emerged as a critical component of national and
international security. Climate change, global warming, and environmental degradation pose
existential threats to countries worldwide.
• Rising temperatures, melting glaciers, urban flooding, and deforestation are not only ecological
issues but also drivers of political and economic crises.
• Pakistan, ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country in the Global Climate Index (2023),
faces significant environmental challenges that could exacerbate its existing security concerns.
 NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY

Cyber Security
• In the age of artificial intelligence, big data, and biotechnology, cyber security has become
a vital aspect of national security.
• The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure makes countries vulnerable to
cyberattacks, which can disrupt political systems, spread misinformation, and cause
economic losses. Without robust cyber security measures, states are at risk of being
destabilized by external actors and internal threats.
• Recognizing the importance of cyber security, Pakistan introduced its first National Cyber
Security Policy (2021).
 NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY

Human Security
• Human security, focuses on ensuring that individuals have access to basic necessities such as
education, healthcare, and other fundamental rights. Human security is closely linked to
political and economic stability, as a nation that fails to provide for the well-being of its citizens
risks social unrest and instability
• Scholars like Kofi Annan and Amitav Acharya have emphasized the importance of viewing
individuals as the central focus of security analysis.
• Human security is concerned with ensuring freedom from fear and want for all people,
regardless of their nationality. This approach contrasts sharply with the traditional view of
security as something that is primarily the responsibility of states.
POWER TRANSITION THEORY
THE RISE OF CHINA
 POWER TRANSITION THEORY

• Power Transition Theory was developed by political scientist K.Organski in the 1950s. It is
primarily concerned with the dynamics of conflict and cooperation between dominant and
rising global powers.
• According to PTT, international order is stable when the leading global power, or hegemon, is
clearly more powerful than any potential challengers. However, when a rising power begins to
close the gap with the hegemon, the likelihood of conflict increases.
• The theory argues that this is because the dominant power seeks to maintain its privileged
position, while the rising power aims to reshape the international system in its favor.
 POWER TRANSITION THEORY: DYNAMICS
OF INTERNATIONAL REL ATIONS

• In an independent world of sovereign nations, power is unevenly distributed; some countries

possess greater power due to their size and developmental level.
• Organski notes that the most powerful nation heads an international order that encompasses
other major and minor nations. Stability and peace typically prevail when the dominant nation,
alongside its powerful allies, maintains control over this international order through established
political, economic, and security institutions.
• However, the nature of international relations is inherently dynamic. Changes in national
power can challenge the existing order, particularly when second-ranked nations express
dissatisfaction with the current international system. This dissatisfaction can spur efforts to
alter the status quo.
 POWER TRANSITION THEORY: DYNAMICS
OF INTERNATIONAL REL ATIONS

• Robert Gilpin, in War and Change in World Politics, expands on this idea, positing that the
ambitions of expanding nations inevitably lead to confrontations with the dominant nation and
its allies regarding the existing rules of the international system.
• When peaceful negotiations fail, these confrontations can escalate into what Gilpin terms
"hegemonic war," a primary mechanism through which great powers resolve their differences or
establish a new international order.
• The transition from peace to conflict in this context is illustrated by the relationship between
dominant and potential contender nations. Initially, the hegemonic nation enjoys a substantial
advantage, maintaining a state free from great-power wars.
 POWER TRANSITION THEORY: DYNAMICS
OF INTERNATIONAL REL ATIONS

• However, as the contender experiences rapid economic growth, the power dynamics begin
to shift, leading to increased tension.
• Organski and Jacek Kugler suggest that these shifts in power distribution create conditions
ripe for conflict. When the gap in national power narrows, the likelihood of war escalates.
• The dominant nation may choose to preemptively strike against the rising contender or,
conversely, the contender might initiate a conflict, believing that the dominant power is
intent on hindering its ascent.
POWER’S RIVALRY: RISE OF CHINA THREAT
OR OPPORTUNITY?
DISCUSSION
 POWER’S RIVALRY: RISE OF CHINA
THREAT OR OPPORTUNITY?

China: The Emerging Global Power

• Economic Growth
• Political Influence
• Military Modernization
• Technology
 RISE OF CHINA THREAT OR
OPPORTUNITY?

The Rising Dragon: China’s Challenge to US Global Dominance

• Asia-Pacific Region
• Organizations like BRICS and SCO
 THE SUPERPOWER RIVALRY: CHINA’S
RISE – THREAT OR OPPORTUNITY?

Threat Opportunity
• Ideological Clash Equal Distribution of Power-Solid
Multipolarity
• Democracy vs Authoritarian
• Military contention Economic collaboration and growth
• Economic competition Enhanced South-South
Collaboration
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?