Political Science Essay: Security, Warfare, and Global Challenges

This political science essay explores the multifaceted concept of security, challenging the notion that it is solely defined by the threat and use of force, as traditionally viewed. The essay delves into the key differences between traditional and critical theoretical approaches to security in international relations, contrasting conventional ideologies with non-conventional issues such as environmental problems and human security. It further examines the most important changes in contemporary warfare practices since World War II, including advancements in technology and the rise of asymmetric warfare. The essay concludes by outlining key future challenges to global security, encompassing both traditional and non-traditional threats. The essay includes references from multiple sources to support the arguments and analysis of the topics discussed.

Running head: Political Science
Political Science

Political Science 1
Should the study of security be defined as the study of the threat
and use of force?
According to the definition of Stephen Walt,” Security can be observed as the study of war and
statesmanship and is essentially confined to the analysis of the state .According to his opinion;
the state forms the center of the security studies. So the idea that security merely means the use
of military force and power to is unsuitable to the ideologies of the present era (Coates, 2014).
This essay attempts to contradict the topic by arguing that the role of security in the international
relations far beyond the use of threat and power.
Security can be viewed as the freedom from threat and the capability of the states to maintain
their independent recognition and functional integrity against the transformations which they
observe as hostile. The final limit of security is survival and it comprises of considerable range
of apprehensions about the circumstances of survival (Englehart, 2016).
Security has always been viewed as the derivative and synonym for power .Security can be
categorized at three levels viz. individual, state and international levels. Military threats can
affect the security of the state on several levels. It can create a great influence on all the
components of the state. It can question the responsibility of the governments of the state to
safeguard its citizens. The political threats represent a constant concern for the state so that
nobody can weaken the political entity of the state. It can be observed as the competition in the
various ideologies in the state as well as an attack on the nation itself (Buzan, 2015).
Security is often studied as a threat posed to the survival of citizens of the state but in reality it
means absence of threats. It means the probability of staying away from dangers or feeling safe
within a country. Security itself is freedom from war which is coupled with higher expectations
that the result of the war shall not be defeat in any case.
The concept of national security implies that it is the capability of the state to stand erect in times
of aggression. The international security can be determined with the help of internal and external
security of the different social systems. Social security can be defined as internal security. The
function is to make sure that the political and economic power are adequate for the security of

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the state and for the survival of the social systems and a suitable degree of public
security( Srikanth ,2014).
So it has been observed that security comprises of military aggression and intensifying the
threats. They can pose a great amount of damage as they give unnecessary appearance of power
and masculinity which is useless. Rather the word security depicts an absolute condition of peace
and wellbeing of individuals. Hence, it can be viewed as a natural right and utilized to support
the assumption that it forms the basis of the individual right of life, liberty and wellbeing of the
individuals .

Political Science 3
References
Buzan, B. (2015) The English School: a neglected approach to International Security Studies.
Security Dialogue. 46 (2), pp. 126-143.
Coates, V.K. (2014) A Critical Analysis of Walt’s concept of security [online] Available from:
https://www.e-ir.info/2014/10/09/a-critical-analysis-of-walts-concept-of-security/ [Accessed 16th
June, 2018].
Englehart, N.A. (2016) Non-state Armed Groups as a Threat to Global Security: What Threat,
Whose Security? Journal of Global Security Studies. 1(2), pp. 171–183.
Srikanth, D.(2014) Non-Traditional Security Threats in the 21st Century: A Review.
International Journal of Development and Conflict. 4(2014), pp. 60-68.

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Key Differences between Traditional and Critical Theoretical
Approaches to Security in International Relations
The traditional approaches deal with conventional ideologies involving violence and destruction
which can pose a threat to the nation. It includes war or aggression by another countries, civil
wars and emergency situations. These ideologies of security were more relevant during the cold
war and the world wars.
In the traditional approach the security can be viewed as a military phenomenon as it has the
responsibility to safeguard its nation from the dangers posed by the forces of the other states. The
traditional ideology of security was mostly about recognizing the enemies which posed a threat
to the state and removing them by acquiring more military power or by entering into a treaty
with the other states in order to acquire the required force or power . It implied that the only
way to be secure is to engage in war with the hostile countries and conquer them through force
(Patrascu and Wani , 2015).
So, the states strived to acquire and retain the necessary military strength with their efforts
which might be threating for the other states .The states focused on enhancing their capabilities
by increasing their power since it was the sole way for them to survive. They concentrated on
the power politics which was restricted only to the military affairs and does not monitor the
economic and other issues which required regulation. For such states, power comprised of some
vital components such as technical advancements and military and economic strength of the state
and territory.
On the other hand, the critical theoretical approaches to international security amount to all the
non-conventional issues such as environmental problems such as pollution, global warming and
change in the climatic conditions. The further aspects of security can be seen in terms of
terrorism and poverty .In terms of human security, it shifts the focus of security from state to the
individuals. There are two ideas in human security -freedom from fear and freedom from want
(Tziarras, 2011).
The critical theoretical approaches of security in international relations pertain to the
socioeconomic and political aspects of the country. It may include the scarcity of resources and

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inconsistent migration. The threats related to changes in the climatic conditions caused by the
human initiated turbulences to the natural resources of the states and societies thereby causing
irreparable losses to them (Davies,2014).
The trade in illicit drugs is the greatest economic, societal and political threat to the security of
the nations in the present era. It poses a danger to the fabric of the society through addition,
disease and crime. It also worsens the situation in the weak nations through disturbing their
economic and political functioning. It is also related to terrorism; hence it has become an
increasing danger to the regional and international security of the nations (Yalvaç, 2017).
So, in order to deal with the problems confronted by various states in the modern era, the
international community has been executing operations related to peace building, state building,
peace keeping, and economic development. Hence, there is an integration of the traditional and
critical theoretical approaches of security in international relations in the modern era.

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References
Davies, M.(2014) IR Theory : Problem Solving Theory versus Critical Theory ? [online]
Available from: https://www.e-ir.info/2014/09/19/ir-theory-problem-solving-theory-versus-
critical-theory/ [Accessed 16th June, 2018].
Patrascu, E. and Wani , Z.A.(2015) Discourse of Critical Theory in the Context of International
Relations. International Conference RCIC’ 15 [online] Available from:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7451/c3175ea9a8482a5537aa46ef96021776fed9.pdf [Accessed
16th June, 2018].
Tziarras, Z. (2011) Themes of Global Security: From the Traditional to the Contemporary
Security Agenda. The GW Post Research Paper [online] Available from:
https://thegwpost.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/themes-of-global-security-zenonas-tziarras-
20112.pdf [Accessed 16th June, 2018].
Yalvaç, F. (2017) Critical Theory: International Relations' Engagement With the Frankfurt
School and Marxism. USA: Oxford University Press .

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The most important changes in contemporary practices of
warfare since World War II
The techniques of modern warfare utilized the concept, techniques and methodology which were
used after World Wars I and II. The nations used the highly progressive information technologies
to prove their worthiness on the battle ground. The war in the modern era includes destruction of
the civilians and their infrastructures of the hostile country so that the home country can
demolish the capability of the enemy to involve in warfare.
With the innovation of nuclear weapons, there has been a progress in the warfare techniques.
Through the use of conventional weaponries, the wars are battled by proxy wars which are
fought by using asymmetric warfare techniques and use of intelligence.
A new concept pertaining to the battle space as an integrated form of information management
consist of all the crucial factors which create an impact on the operations executed by the armed
forces . They included all the components involving air, land, sea, information and space. It also
comprises of factors, environment and situations to be understood which helps in successfully
applying the combat power, protection of force and accomplishment of the mission (Liivoja,
2015).
Some of the modern techniques used in the present era warfare are aerial warfare, asymmetric
warfare, biological and chemical warfare, electronic and ground warfare and forth generation
warfare. They also comprise of guerrilla, propaganda, psychological, naval and information
warfare. Nuclear, network centric and space warfare techniques have also been used by the
nations to defeat their enemies.
Aerial warfare refers to the use of military aircrafts and other flying machines in attacking the
concentrations of the enemies. The fighter air crafts are used for control of airspace. The gliders,
helicopters and other aircrafts are used to carry the airborne forces such as aerial refueling tanks ,
paratroopers (Robinson et al.,2018).

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Asymmetric warfare pertains to the war between two hostile countries where there is a difference
between the military powers of both the countries. It is an attempt to exploit the weakness of
each other by involving the strategies of unconventional warfare.
Biological warfare is also called germ warfare. It is the use of biological toxins such as bacteria
or virus with the intention to kill or harm humans, animals or plants of the hostile country. The
use of biological weapons which are alive organisms capable of reproducing within the host
victims become a mode of showing power to the other country.
Chemical warfare is the use of poisonous properties of the chemical substances which are
capable of killing or injuring the resources of the other country. Electronic warfare refers to the
use of nonviolent practices to assist the other regions of warfare. It adopts the strategy of
jamming, radio stealth and decoding of the radio communications of the enemy country. Fourth
generation warfare explains the decentralized characteristics of modern warfare .It blurs the lines
of war and politics , civilians and combatants (Lawrence et al., 2015).
Ground warfare combines the three types of combat units namely armor, artillery and infantry.
Guerilla warfare pertains to the fighting of irregular troops in areas occupies by the enemies.
Propaganda warfare refers to the ancient form of method of sending the messages which are
aimed at creating a negative impact on the opinion of a large number of people. Psychological
warfare refers to spreading terror and fear amongst the people of the neighboring countries.
Information warfare can be explained as warfare using electronic media and information. Naval
warfare takes place on the high seas by using deep water navies. Nuclear warfare uses the
nuclear weapons to demolish the properties of the enemy country. Network centric warfare uses
sensors, command and control centers to fight in a war. Space warfare uses the outside
atmosphere of earth to fight with the other country (Andrieu and Selden, 2016).

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References
Andrieu , C. and Selden, M.(2016) Introduction: Perspectives on the Bombing of Civilians From
World War II to the Present. The Asia Pacific Journal .14(23),pp. 1-3.
Lawrence, M.J., Stemberger, H.L.J., Zolderdo, A.J., Struthers, , D.P. and Cooke , S.J.(2015) The
effects of modern war and military activities on biodiversity and the environment. Environmental
Reviews. 23(4), pp. 443-460.
Liivoja, R. (2015) Technological change and the evolution of the law of war. International
Review of the Red Cross .9(900), pp. 1157–1177.
Robinson, L., Helmus,, T.C., Cohen, R.S., Nader, A., Radin, A., Magnuson,M. and Migacheva ,
K.(2018) Modern Political Warfare. California : RAND Corporation.

Political Science 10
Key Future Challenges to Global Security
According to The Conservation Media Group Ltd. (2016) the future challenges to the
international security can be as follows. Terrorism is the biggest challenge to the international
security. Due to terrorism, the annual death tolls have been on increase. About more than 32658
civilians were killed in 2014 which was nine times more than the people killed in 2000.
Another challenge is civil conflict which can last for many years and is more violent than
interstate conflicts. It can have much higher death counts. In the recent era, the Syrian conflict
was the most barbarous conflict and it claimed to take over 210,000 lives of people in the
country.
With the help of artificial intelligence along with drones, satellites and other sensors increase the
probability that the countries could threaten the nuclear forces of their neighboring nations
thereby escalating tensions. With the help of information technologies, the nuclear wars have
haunted the imagination of the governments of the countries from the post-cold war era.
Through artificial intelligence, the machines which are capable to learning and thinking can
provide newer ammunitions amongst the major nuclear powers of the world (Rand Corporation,
2018). It has been estimated that by 2040, the artificial intelligence might be able to make
suggestions regarding the strategic matters. Since, they could be hacked, manipulated or tricked
so there is a risk of nuclear miscalculation. The artificial intelligence has the potential to upset
the basis of nuclear stability.
The feature of 3D printing can enable the weapon propagations thereby upending international
trade. Due to the widespread commercialization of 3D printing, the terrorists could be enabled to
custom print a wide variety of weapons ranging from drones to handguns. It can easily be
customized as it requires little assembly and expertise. As a result, the local production of goods
can weaken the local economies and trade of the nations.

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As per Symantec Corporation (2018) new threats to cyber security have targeted many routers
and network attached storage devices which are able to knock out infected devices thereby
rendering the unusable. The malware VPN Filter is capable of maintaining a permanent presence
on the infected device like a robot. It is capable of spying on traffic being tracked by that
particular device.
With the help of artificial intelligence, the generic clones of banana plants were created thereby
spreading the fungus in the entire plantation of South America. As a result, it ruined the entire
banana plantations of the region (Burke, Koo and McDonald, 2016).
Another threat to the international security is the use of superbugs for destroying the cyber
security. These consist of computer processors, servers, memory and mobile chipsets, servers,
software and other components. They spread easily since the core hardware and software
protections are similar. These are enabled due to lack of cyber security. These superbugs can
affect the feature of the processors known as speculative execution and thus gain unauthorized
access to the safeguarded memory. So, in order to protect the devices and software from being
affected by the newly originated threats, efficient cyber security strategies should be adopted by
the nations.