PS-E 21 SECURITY STUDIES

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

According to you which

approach (either realist or
critical security approach) is
more appropriate to understand
the security problem in
contemporary times and why?
A) Elaborate your answer with at
least two case studies/incidents of
recent times.
B) Apply your chosen approach
to understand and resolve Covid-
19 as a Security Problem.

TEACHER IN-CHARGE- Dr. MEGHA

SUBMITED BY:
HARSHITA GUPTA (M.A. POLSCI, FINAL)
(19036724017), KMC
OCTOBER 20, 2020
INTRODUCTION
With the expansion of Security concerns, Security Studies as an independent discipline gain
prominence in 21st century. Security Studies as a discipline not able to fit in International
Relation Theory as International Relation theory deals with state affairs and Security Studies
go beyond the concerns of states. The security challenges facing the world today are inter-
related and more complex that at any time in our history. It goes beyond Military issues and
uncovers issues of human security. Security today is an important topic as the concept of
sovereignty is much related to security. Hence, today security is not a prime concern of nation-
state but an individual. For instance, amid covid-19 the nation-state security is depends upon
human security which is ultimately depend upon medical insecurity.
NATION-STATE SECURITY>HUMAN SECURITY>MEDICAL SECURITY

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR APPROACHES TO SECURITY STUDIES

1. Traditionalist/Realist who focuses on State, Security, Strategy and Statuesque.
2. Non-Traditionalist/Wideners/Critical who with Military security incorporates Political
Security (concerning stability of political institution and state), Economic Security
(corporate access to resources), Social Security (maintain cultural, religious, language
or identity specific security), and Environment Security (concerning preservation and
protection of Ecology). Thus, they broadened the idea of SECURITY.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REALIST AND CRITICAL APPROACH TO SECURITY STUDIES

A. PROPONENTS
RSS- are E.H. CARR, MORGENTHAU AND GEORGE KENNAN
CSS- are BUZAN BARRY, ROBERT COX, RICHARD WYN JONES and KEN BOOTH
B. REALITY
(RSS) - Describe the reality.
(CSS) - Not only describe the Reality but try to change the reality.
C. PROMINET ACTOR
RSS- International relations prominent actor is STATE and particular issue is WAR.
CSS- In IRs major actor is not the state and Particular issue is not WAR. Other non-state actors
like NGOs, Multinational Groups are also important.
D. SECURITY ISSUE and POWER
RSS- sees security as power and commodity. Their understanding of security is in terms of
Military approach. They understand power in terms of power over others by accumulating of
military weapons. Thus, sees security in terms of hard power and see other states as threat.
CSS- Security is not about military power, but to create an Emanicipatory situation, where we
focus on JUST & EQUAL society that respects Human Rights. It aimed in creating relationship
between not just states but other non-state actors. Thus sees positive notion of security like
Poverty and Education which can be resolve through cooperation.
E. REFERENT OBJECT
RSS- State is the referent object (pointing out whom security we are talking about)
CSS- State was prominent till cold war, now the referent object is contextual different for
different people. For Environmentalist, environment is the referent object, for critical
individual and hence community is the referent object (as communities do not work in vacuum,
it consists of individuals). Today Environment is seen as a prominent referent object, as it is
threat to both individuals as well as community (PEOPLE, STATE AND FEAR, BUZAN 1990).
F. KNOWLEDGE (FACTS AND VALUES)
RSS- Focus on Objective Knowledge (objective metaphysics), Facts and Values are different.
CSS- NO, knowledge has a social character hence it cannot separate values from facts of life.
They hold facts are always contextual that means they are based on particular historical
context.(THEORY AND PRACTICE- BOTH ARE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHERS; FACTS OF OUR
LIFE ALWAYS INFLUENCE THEORY IN ANY WAY, ALSO CHANGE IN PRACTICE INFLUENCE
THEORY.)
G. STRUCTURE
RSS- they hold International structure is given. They focus on problem solving within the
structure and the problem is war. They emphasized on changing the structure.
CSS- they hold that focus on one problem and that is WAR will create Passivity in International
Sphere. They refocus on the problem within the structure but also problem of the structure
(reason behind the problem). They focus on transformation of change in the structure.
H. STATUESQUE
RSS- Focus on maintaining the statuesque.
CSS- Do not focus on maintaining the statuesque. Realist maintains the statuesque by making
IR static. Critical approach does not focus on legitimizing the construction but they focus on
Deconstruction and Reconstruction that means to unravel the alternative possibility and fulfill
the unfulfilled potentialities.
I. DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SPHERE
RSS- It supports Domestic and International Dichotomy. They do not give prominence to
Domestic Sphere as much as they give it to International Sphere.
CSS- It challenges the Domestic and International Dichotomy. They interrogate about
relationship with Domestic sphere.
J. INTERPRETATIONS
RSS- sees security from Political perspective. That means Politics of security.
CSS- sees security behind the politics. According to them Security has been Politicized and
power is the ladder where knowledge built or particular issue declare as concern of security.

PART-A
Which approach is appropriate in dealing with current Security Issue?
According to me CSS is more appropriate, just and a beacon of light in dealing with current
security issues which has worst effects on third world countries due to following reasons:-
1. More INCLUSIVE, - CSS broaden the security issues from military to non- military issues
like Environment Crisis, Migration, Poverty, Illiteracy, Terrorism and Pandemics like
 Covid19. These issues do not only focus on state but include Human Beings, Plants and
Animals species etc.
2. DEEPER – CSS connects our understanding to the deeper levels and assumptions. CSS
focuses on Third World Countries- Impacts of Human Insecurities are not equal in equal
countries. Third world countries face major threat like poverty and hunger due to past
injustices. Thus, these issues cannot solve through war but through deeper understanding
of their social and historical context, in order to solve the problems from their grassroots.
3. DEMOCRATIC - It extends the security beyond Military issues hence it goes beyond state
as a prominent actor and includes different actors like individuals, communities and non-
state organization etc. RICHARD JONES criticized BARRY BUZAN’S WORK PEOPLE,
STATE AND FEAR where Buzan is talking in terms of state. Jones sees security not as a
threat to state but to individuals. Thus, CSS is more appropriate to deal with current security
issues as it talked about ORGANIC INTELLECTUALS who play a vital role in bringing
everyday struggles of individuals and represent unrepresented and powerless voices. These
intellectuals work as a resistance but that would not be like Marx but more in Gandhian
terms that is peaceful, inclusive, democratic, non-violent as well as evolving. Thus more
focus on Individuals.
4. EMANICIPATORY- CSS also talked about state being as oppressor. R.W.JONES AND KEN
BOOTH MAJOR PROPONENT OF CSS , come up with idea of Emancipation and Security.
Today, when power of the state politicized the democracy, where state itself become a
cause of insecurities, emanicipatory notion of CSS is more appropriate. Emanicipation
more related to Marx understanding where he interpreted the world practices but also look
into its transformation and change and that should be emanicipatory. Here, state is means
and individuals are the ends. It frees people from mental and physical constraints like
poverty, social and economic insecurity, inequalities and injustices, so that individuals can
fulfill their unfulfilled potentialities and feel courageous and secure. Thus, it works towards
ethics and morality which is an urgent need of the current society, so that it can be more
equal and just.
JONES AND BOOTH- THE MOMENT YOU BROADEN THE IDEA OF SECURITY, THE
IDEA OF SECURITY STRENGHTHEN AND PEOPLE GET MORE AND MORE SECURITY. THERE
IS NEED TO FOCUS NOT ON SURVIVAL BUT LIVING. (FLOURISHING)

PART-B
CASE STUDY-1
 1. COOPERATION AND NOT WAR- Protection of Amazon Rainforest cannot be ensured
through the RSS where important actor is state and particular issue is WAR. Rather it
needed to be understood in terms of Preservation of Amazon which requires global
efforts, as burning of Amazon don’t impact only on Brazil but the whole world. Thus
the issue cannot solve through use of military but through discussions, negotiation and
cooperation.

Smoke billows from a fire in the Amazon rainforest near Humaita, in the state of Amazona, Brazil, 2019The
Conversation.

1. ROLE OF ORGANIC INTELLECTUALS- The issue needed to be understood

according to its historical context that is colonization. During colonization Brazil’s
resources were exploited and now it’s suffering due to its current position as a
developing nation. Hence, for developed countries meaning of Environmental Security
is different for developing nations it is different. Thus, here CSS ensures environment
security under the principles of Justice and Equality through cooperation by giving
importance to historical context, local knowledge and organic intellectuals. These
organic intellectuals can represent the Global South in general and Brazil in particular
at international arena and provides voice to the voiceless.
 2. IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY NON-STATE ACTORS- The role of the state here
is reduced and other non-state actors like international organization, regional
organization, and NGOs become prominent in creating platform for public discussions,
negotiations and environmental movements.
3. REFERENT OBJECT- INDIVIDUALS AND NOT STATE- Here, the referent object is
not state but individuals and communities who are directly get impacted by burning of
Amazon Rainforest Forest.
4. KNOWLEDGE – FACTS WITH VALUES The issue cannot be solved by one set of
knowledge but it needed to be understood in terms of its historical and social conditions
where local knowledge and values plays important role in mitigating the issue and that
would be a real justice which can only be possible through the (CSS).
5. EMANICIPATION AND SECURITY- With CSS on the issue of Amazon Burning we
could not only talk about protection of environment but Emancipation of farmers by
increasing their potentialities and providing them International Aid so that they can
improve their conditions and can search for alternatives to forest clearance.

CASE STUDY II

SOURCE- CAR facing worst food insecurity since 2014, UN warns, 2018, MALAYSIA DAILY NEWS
CSS IS APPROPRIATE IN DEALING WITH FOOD INSECURITY IN (CAR) due to
following reasons:

1. MATTER OF HUMAN SECURTIY- CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS - Malnutrition or

Food Insecurity and poverty in CAR are the major concerns of Human Security which
cannot be solve with (RSS). As RSS focuses on War as a major issue, state as a referent
object and sees security as Power and Commodity. Rather, it requires being analyzed
from the CSS that concerned with Human Security and sees Individuals and
communities as a referent object.
2. COOPERATION RATHER THAN WAR- Food insecurity in CAR directly impact to
individual and communities. The major cause is poverty which needed to be understood
in terms of historical context of colonization thus requires International aid. As a result,
it can be solved through dialogues and negotiation rather than War.
3. CRUCIAL ROLE PLAYED BY ORGANIC INTELLECTUALS- The another major
cause is state realism under which state focus on external security through military gains
and ignores threat to Human Rights like right to life and food security. While spending
much on military forces state side line the issue of poverty. Here, we see state causes
insecurities thus it cannot be the referent object to security studies. Thus, CSS is
appropriate for the deeper understanding of the issue in order to ensure social and
economic justice. Here organic intellectual, media and NGOs organized by CSS play
influential role in becoming the voice of voiceless and bring this issue to the
International Platforms.
4. EMANICIPATORY SECURITY- Moreover, the issue of food insecurity in CAR
requires emancipatory security which sees security not as an end in itself but means to
an end. Here ends are not state but individuals. It requires creating a condition where
people can fulfill their unfulfilled potentialities and encouraged people in coming out
of poverty.
5. IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY NON-STATE ACTORS- Food insecurity in CAR
cannot be solve by state only other non-state actors like NGOs and regional
organization like SOUTH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY played important
role in mitigating the issue of Food Security.
Thus, CSS is appropriate, democratic and just in dealing with current issue whether it is
environmental security in Brazil, food insecurity in CAR, terrorism in Syria and even gender
inequalities in different parts of the world etc. in all these issues we cannot make state as a
referent object rather we see individual as referent object and cooperation, peace and
inclusiveness as a means to ensure security. So that this world can be a better place to live.

PART-C
Is COVID19 PANDEMIC is the matter of Security? If yes, than which approach can be applied
to the issue? (REALIST/CRITICAL)
SOURCE- The Advisory Bulletin, released by ACI World, includes guidance on security checkpoint management.
YES, according to me COVID19 is the issue of security and CSS is appropriate to deal with
the issue due to the following reasons:
1. COVID19, A SECURITY ISSUE- Covid19 is an issue where security of nation- state
depends upon Human Security which is ultimately depends upon Medical Security.
Thus, it is the major concern of security. Covid19 pandemic could not solve through
war or military actions thus require cooperation and negotiation among the state and
non-state actors for the vaccines and medicines.
2. NON-STATE ACTOR PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE- Also, covid19 does not spread in
vacuum it also causes or increased issues like hunger and migration etc where NGOs
worldwide and local networks played important role in providing food and security to
poor and migrants in the form of food and shelter. For example- I2000 volunteers in
150 Community Action Networks in the Cape Town metropolis have facilitated an
impressive exchange of finance, food and other physical resources. They hold ‘we act
locally while also drawing our collective experience and energy to share lessons and
resources across the city.’
3. REFERENT OBJECTS ARE INDIVIDUALS- Here, referent object is not the state but
individuals as it directly impact the individuals. State here is means and individuals are
the ends. Here, Human security in general and medical security in particular is
important, which is the major concern of CSS.
4. STATE CAUSES INSECURITIES- Amid, covid19 we have observed insensitivity by
the state, many illegal actions and violations of Human Rights legitimized by the state.
Many people were beaten up to death in the name of security by the police during
lockdown for going outside the home. Here CSS could play important role in protecting
HRs of individuals.
5. IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY ORGANIC INTELLECTUALS- Covid19 patients
were treated as criminals by the state, no proper treatment given to them in hospitals.
Here, organic intellectuals and social media platform played important role in raising
the hidden and suppressed voices. For example- Li Wenliang, Chinese ophthalmologist
blown a whistle on covid19 outbreak against Chinese government through social media.
Thus, all these reasons hold that Covid19 is the matter of security and can be understand &
resolve through CSS.

CONCLUSION
With the Changing nature of insecurities, the referent object and threats are also changed.
Today the concept of security broadens from military to the issues concerned human security.
As a result individuals become referent object rather than state and non-state actors play
important role in providing the security. Today the Idea of inter-state war is no more relevant
now; different changes take place in new context, these changes are given some opportunities
as well as danger. The need to manage the global problem to reduce the direct cost seems as
urgent; because cost to manage these problems alone by individual states is higher. Thus states
more focus on cooperation rather than going for war until and unless there is need to defend
them. Thus there is need to rethink the security studies where CSS is seen as appropriate to
deal with current issues. However, there are some limitations; critics hold that when you focus
more and more security the core essence of security ends. Thus you can’t make every issue a
security issue. Another criticism is link between security and emancipation by booth is
problematic. When we think more and more security, it leads to more and more individual
emancipation. This ultimately leads to hibernation of security with every single issue. As a
result hibernation has become an issue and joins the issue of security with military
connotations. Hence, security and security sometimes become problematic thus there is need
for desecuritization arouse.
But, despite of the criticisms EMANICIPATION- AT THE CENTRE OF SECURITY STUDIES IS
APPRECIALBLE, as in today’s time different kind of struggle is going on, people try to use
their power in non-violent way. For example- women movement, and ecological movement
etc. Hence the grip of realism is getting lose and loser.

REFERENCES
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Buzan Barry, People, State and Fear: The National Security Problem in International Relations, 1983
and 1991
Williams. D Paul, McDonald Matt, Security Studies: An Introduction, 2018
Baldwin. A David, the Concept of Security Studies, 1997
Jones.W Richard, Security, Strategy and Critical Theory, 1999
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