Security in the Contemporary World | Class 12 Political Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 min read
Security in the Contemporary World – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Security in the Contemporary World from Class 12 Political Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
NEW SOURCES OF THREATS
Non-traditional security highlights new and evolving threats that affect human and global security. Terrorism is a key example, defined as political violence targeting civilians deliberately and indiscriminately. International terrorism involves multiple countries and aims to change political conditions through force or threat. Terrorist acts such as hijacking planes or bombing crowded places seek to terrorize the public and pressure governments. Since the 9/11 attacks in the US, global attention to terrorism has increased, though terrorism is not new and has historically affected regions like the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and South Asia. Human rights violations are another concern, classified into political rights (freedom of speech, assembly), economic and social rights, and rights of colonized or minority groups. The international community debates intervention in cases of human rights abuses, balancing UN Charter provisions and national interests. Global poverty is a major source of insecurity, with rapid population growth concentrated in poor countries, especially in the Global South. This exacerbates disparities between rich and poor nations and fuels conflicts. Migration and refugee flows arise from poverty, war, and persecution, creating international tensions. Health epidemics such as HIV-AIDS, bird flu, and SARS spread rapidly due to globalization, requiring international cooperation. These new threats demonstrate the interconnectedness of security issues and the need for cooperative approaches beyond military force.
📊 Diagram: Images show terrorist attacks, refugee flows, and health epidemics, illustrating the multifaceted nature of contemporary security threats.
🧪 Activity: Students are encouraged to take a map of Africa and plot various threats to people's security, linking geography with security challenges.
🔗 Connection: Leads to the concept of cooperative security as a response to these complex, non-traditional threats.
Frequently asked questions
1. Match the terms with their meaning: i. Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) ii. Arms Control iii. Alliance iv. Disarmament a. Giving up certain types of weapons b. A process of exchanging information on defence matters between nations on a regular basis c. A coalition of nations meant to deter or defend against military attacks d. Regulates the acquisition or development of weapons
i - b: Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) are a process of exchanging information on defence matters between nations on a regular basis. ii - d: Arms Control regulates the acquisition or development of weapons. iii - c: Alliance is a coalition of nations meant to deter or defend against military attacks. iv - a: Disarmament means giving up certain types of weapons.
2. Which among the following would you consider as a traditional security concern / non-traditional security concern / not a threat? a. The spread of chikungunya / dengue fever b. Inflow of workers from a neighbouring nation c. Emergence of a group demanding nationhood for their region d. Emergence of a group demanding autonomy for their region e. A newspaper that is critical of the armed forces in the country
a. The spread of chikungunya / dengue fever - Non-traditional security concern (health-related threat). b. Inflow of workers from a neighbouring nation - Not a threat (migration issue, generally not a security threat). c. Emergence of a group demanding nationhood for their region - Traditional security concern (potential threat to territorial integrity). d. Emergence of a group demanding autonomy for their region - Traditional security concern (internal political threat). e. A newspaper that is
3. What is the difference between traditional and non-traditional security? Which category would the creation and sustenance of alliances belong to?
Traditional security refers to protection against military threats, territorial invasions, and conflicts between states. It focuses on safeguarding the sovereignty and physical integrity of a nation. Non-traditional security includes threats that are not military in nature, such as environmental degradation, pandemics, economic instability, and terrorism. The creation and sustenance of alliances belong to traditional security as they are primarily formed to deter or defend against military attac
4. What are the differences in the threats that people in the Third World face and those living in the First World face?
People in the Third World face threats such as poverty, underdevelopment, political instability, insurgency, and lack of basic resources, which are often non-traditional security threats. People in the First World mainly face traditional security threats like military conflicts, terrorism, and also non-traditional threats such as cyber security and environmental issues but generally have better resources to manage them.
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Clear NCERT-aligned notes on भारतीय राजनीति में नए बदलाव for Class 12 Political Science.
- भारतीय राजनीति में नए बदलाव | Class 12 Political Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on भारतीय राजनीति में नए बदलाव for Class 12 Political Science.
- भारतीय राजनीति में नए बदलाव | Class 12 Political Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on भारतीय राजनीति में नए बदलाव for Class 12 Political Science.