Studying International Security: A Study Guide
Glossary of Key Terms
• Balance of Power: A concept in international relations suggesting that states may
secure their survival by preventing any one state from gaining enough military power
to dominate all others.
• Cold War: A period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet
Union and their respective allies from 1947 to 1991. It was characterized by an arms
race, proxy wars, and ideological conflict but without direct large-scale fighting
between superpowers.
• Détente: The easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation. In the
context of the Cold War, it refers to the period in the 1970s when the US and the
Soviet Union engaged in negotiations to reduce tensions.
• Human Security: A security paradigm that goes beyond traditional state-centric
security concerns and focuses on the safety and well-being of individuals and
communities. It considers threats like poverty, disease, environmental degradation,
and human rights violations.
• Interdisciplinary: Relating to more than one branch of knowledge. International
security studies draws upon insights and methodologies from various disciplines like
political science, history, economics, etc.
• Non-Proliferation: The act of preventing the spread of something, particularly relating
to nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is a key international
agreement aiming to limit the spread of nuclear weapons.
• Non-State Actors: Entities that are not nation-states but play a significant role in
international affairs. These can include terrorist organizations, multinational
corporations, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Nuclear Deterrence: A military strategy that aims to prevent an attack by a nuclear-
armed adversary by threatening to use nuclear weapons in retaliation. The theory
rests on the idea that the potential for devastating consequences will deter a first
strike.
• Realist School of Thought: A major school of thought in international relations that
emphasizes the role of states, power, and self-interest in shaping international politics.
Realists often view the international system as anarchic and believe states prioritize
their own security and power above all else.
• Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): Negotiations between the United States
and the Soviet Union during the Cold War aimed at limiting the number of strategic
nuclear weapons held by each side. SALT I and SALT II were landmark agreements
resulting from these talks.
Short Answer Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
1. How did the end of World War II influence the emergence of International Security
Studies as a field?
2. Explain the central tenets of the realist school of thought in international relations.
3. What was the significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the context of Cold War
security dynamics?
4. Describe the primary objective of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
5. What were the key features of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) during the
Cold War?
6. Explain the concept of 'détente' and its impact on US-Soviet relations during the Cold
War.
7. How did the fall of the Berlin Wall impact the global security landscape?
8. Why is the study of international security considered "interdisciplinary"?
9. What is the difference between traditional security studies and the concept of 'human
security'?
10. Provide an example of a 'non-state actor' and explain how it might influence
international security.
Short Answer Quiz - Answer Key
1. World War II ended with the rise of two superpowers, the US and the USSR, and the
development of nuclear weapons. This new global context demanded a focused study
of security dynamics, leading to the emergence of International Security Studies.
2. The realist school of thought emphasizes the role of states as primary actors in
international relations. Realists believe states act in their own self-interest to maximize
power and security in an anarchic international system.
3. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, highlighting the
dangers of Cold War tensions and the importance of effective communication and
crisis management between superpowers.
4. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) aims to prevent the spread of nuclear
weapons and promote nuclear disarmament. It seeks to limit the possession of nuclear
weapons to the five recognized nuclear-weapon states.
5. The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) were negotiations between the US and
USSR focused on limiting the growth of their nuclear arsenals. SALT I and SALT II
resulted in agreements to freeze or reduce the number of certain types of strategic
nuclear weapons.
6. Détente refers to the easing of strained relations between the US and the Soviet Union
in the 1970s. It involved negotiations and agreements aimed at reducing tensions and
fostering cooperation, leading to a temporary decrease in Cold War hostility.
7. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the end of the Cold War and marked a
significant shift in the global security landscape. It led to the reunification of Germany
and the collapse of the Soviet Union, creating new challenges and opportunities for
international security.
8. International security studies is interdisciplinary because it draws upon insights from
multiple fields. Understanding complex security issues requires integrating
perspectives from political science, history, economics, sociology, and other relevant
disciplines.
9. Traditional security studies primarily focus on state-centric threats, especially military
threats between states. Human security expands the concept of security to include the
safety and well-being of individuals and communities, encompassing threats like
poverty, disease, and environmental degradation.
10. Terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda are non-state actors that can significantly impact
international security. Their actions can destabilize regions, provoke interstate conflict,
and challenge the authority of nation-states, leading to widespread insecurity.
Essay Questions
1. Analyze the evolution of international security dynamics from the end of World War II
to the present day. Discuss the key events, ideological shifts, and emerging
challenges that have shaped the field.
2. Compare and contrast the realist and liberal perspectives on international security.
How do their core assumptions differ, and how do these differences influence their
understanding of conflict, cooperation, and the role of international institutions?
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of nuclear deterrence as a security strategy. What are the
ethical considerations, potential risks, and historical examples that inform your
assessment?
4. Discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of non-state actors in
international security. How have these actors changed the nature of threats, and what
strategies can states and international organizations employ to address these
challenges?
5. Analyze the concept of human security and its implications for contemporary security
studies. How does this approach differ from traditional security paradigms, and what
are its strengths and limitations in addressing contemporary security concerns?
