Security in the Contemporary World | Class 12 Political Science Notes

WHAT IS SECURITY?

Security fundamentally means freedom from threats that endanger human existence or the life of a country. However, not every threat qualifies as a security threat. If we consider every minor threat, such as the risk of stepping outside one's home, the concept of security would become too broad and unmanageable. Scholars of security therefore focus on threats that endanger 'core values'—those essential to the survival and integrity of a country or society. These core values typically include sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the safety of citizens. The question arises: whose core values are we protecting? Is it the state’s, or the ordinary citizens'? Governments may have different priorities than their citizens. Additionally, the intensity of the threat matters. Security concerns are generally reserved for extremely dangerous threats that could irreparably damage these core values if left unaddressed. Security is thus a selective and context-dependent concept, varying across societies and historical periods. It is important to recognize that security is not a fixed idea but a slippery and evolving one, shaped by changing global and local conditions. To better understand security, it is useful to categorize its notions into two broad groups: traditional and non-traditional conceptions.

📊 Diagram: The section includes images depicting various forms of security threats, emphasizing that security is not limited to military threats but can include other dangers affecting people’s daily lives. One image questions who decides about individual security, highlighting the democratic need for citizen involvement.

🔗 Connection: Leads to a detailed exploration of traditional and non-traditional notions of security, explaining how different contexts shape the understanding of security.