Traditional Security Theory: Exploring External Threats and Military Powers

This essay explores traditional security theory, which focuses on a country's ability to defend itself against external threats through military power. It analyzes the primary cause of insecurity and suggests ways to achieve security. The essay also discusses the relevance of traditional security theory in the current era of globalization and the need for new international approaches to enhance peace between countries.

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DISCUSSION REPORT ON TRADITIONAL SECURITY THEORY
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Discussion Report on Traditional Security Theory
Traditional security explores the capabilities of a country in defending itself against external threats. The
theory is a realistic construct and holds that the only referent for security is the state. Taking security
measures involves the protection of the country from invasion executed during conflicts through the military
powers. This essay will provide a deeper approach to traditional security theory through analysis of various
elements such as the primary cause of insecurity and suggestions on how to achieve security.
Traditional security is best understood by studying nuclear weapons and the reality of the cold war
(Dhillon and Blackhouse 2001, p. 135). The political realism and strategy during this time were by using
nuclear weapons, which was considered a form of military power. Nuclear weapon thus provided crisis
stability, prevention against conventional war and foreign policy support (Wohlforth 2009, p. 30). From a
moral point of view, even though nuclear weapons are fundamentally evil, they can contribute to
maintaining stability between states. However, a nuclear weapon is not enough to maintain peace between
states due to the nonstate actors. An example is the Indian and Pakistan conflict which despite the two trying
to avoid the breakout of the nuclear war, actions from the terrorists or the nonstate actors triggered the
conflict. Conflict arises because both parties blame each other for being the driving force in these actions.
Traditional security approach explores threats against the political integrity of the state, values, and
sovereignty. This approach consists of military, weapons and armaments systems, which are aimed at
building relations between the states for security purposes (Baldwin 1997, p. 15). However, due to the
technological advances, the concept of the traditional approach is also changing as it is encamped with new
ideas and political evolution. International Relations like EU has played a significant role in shaping the
security agenda of the states. For instance, the United Nations promotes the concept of multilateralism as a
form of security protection.
Karis, one of my fellow students posted that, traditional security is still relevant and that elements of
realism form the foundation of International Relational theory. This is true to a great extent when looking at
power nations like the US, South and North Korea and the nuclearization threat that they cause leading to
the negotiation summits to avoid breaking of wars. However, at the regional level, there has been a new
form of corporation that is growing not only in Europe but also in Asia. Weapons and armaments which are

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the core elements of traditional security are enormously more advanced than in the past (Barkawi and Laffey
2006, p. 335). For instance, nuclear weapons which are the most destructive weapons are also crucial by
providing an umbrella for the security of the state.
According to (Willims 2004, p. 144), there have been major changes in the traditional security issues and
these transformations of security have now become one of the public goods in the world under the UN
umbrella. Previously, wars of the annexation of one state by another to bring about division in one state was
considered legitimate. However, this concept is no longer acceptable. Failure in any form of defense against
aggression causes the UN`s acting military measures to be taken with the goal of protecting the security of
the aggressed state.
Post from Ryan, one of my fellow students hold that, from a socio constructive perspective, traditional
theory is not relevant anymore. Ryans explain that security has an array of perspective and thus issues
related to health, environment, and the economy would bring about insecurity. As a result, there is a need to
apply the new international approach in the globalization era other than just orienting towards the use of a
nuclear weapon and military power as held by the nontraditional approach. Use of trade, diplomacy, and the
corporation can be used in the current era to enhance peace between countries instead of using non –
traditional methods such as nuclearization threats.
In conclusion, the security of the citizens is not merely threatened by external aggressors but also internal
activities and occurrences. These wars include poverty, eviction, hunger, despotism and climate change.
These factors lead to economic, food, health, personal, political and environmental threats or insecurity. As
a result, despite the fact that traditional security is still relevant, there has been a major evolution in the
security segment as realities of security threats are socially and politically constructed and there are many
approaches used to solve various perspective of insecurity.

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List of References
Baldwin, D.A., 1997. The concept of security. Review of international studies, 23(1), pp.5-26.
Barkawi, T. and Laffey, M., 2006. The postcolonial moment in security studies. Review of International
Studies, 32(2), pp.329-352.
Dhillon, G. and Backhouse, J., 2001. Current directions in IS security research: towards socio‐organizational
perspectives. Information Systems Journal, 11(2), pp.127-153.
Williams, P., 2004. Critical security studies. International society and its critics, pp.135-50.
Wohlforth, W.C., 2009. Realism and security studies. The Routledge handbook of security studies (pp. 25-
36). Routledge.