ABSTRACT

Security Studies: An Introduction, 4th edition, is the most comprehensive textbook available on the subject, providing students with in-depth coverage of traditional and critical approaches and an essential grounding in the debates, frameworks, and issues of the contemporary security agenda.

This new edition has been completely revised and updated, to cover major developments such as COVID-19, the rise of populism, climate change, China and Russia’s place in the world, and the Trump administration. It also includes new chapters on great power rivalry, emerging technologies, and economic threats.

Divided into four parts, the text provides students with a detailed, accessible overview of the major theoretical approaches, key themes, and most significant issues within security studies.

  • Part 1 explores the main theoretical approaches from both traditional and critical standpoints
  • Part 2 explains the central concepts underpinning contemporary debates
  • Part 3 presents an overview of the institutional security architecture
  • Part 4 examines some of the key contemporary challenges to global security

Collecting these related strands into a single textbook creates a valuable teaching tool and a comprehensive, accessible learning resource for undergraduates and MA students.

part 1|133 pages

Theoretical Approaches

chapter Chapter 1|19 pages

Realisms

chapter Chapter 2|16 pages

Liberalisms

chapter Chapter 3|15 pages

Constructivisms

chapter Chapter 4|15 pages

Critical Theory

chapter Chapter 5|17 pages

Feminisms

chapter Chapter 6|16 pages

Poststructuralism

chapter Chapter 7|16 pages

Securitization

chapter Chapter 8|17 pages

Postcolonialism

part 2|152 pages

Key Concepts

chapter Chapter 9|18 pages

Uncertainty

chapter Chapter 10|17 pages

Great Power Rivalry

chapter Chapter 11|16 pages

Culture

chapter Chapter 12|17 pages

War

chapter Chapter 13|16 pages

Coercion

chapter Chapter 14|16 pages

Peace and Violence

chapter Chapter 15|17 pages

Human Security

chapter Chapter 16|16 pages

The Responsibility to Protect

chapter Chapter 17|17 pages

Development

part 3|103 pages

Institutions

chapter Chapter 18|17 pages

Alliances

chapter Chapter 19|17 pages

Regional Organizations

chapter Chapter 20|19 pages

The United Nations

chapter Chapter 21|16 pages

Peace Operations

chapter Chapter 23|15 pages

Private Military and Security Companies

part 4|279 pages

Contemporary Challenges

chapter Chapter 24|15 pages

Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

chapter Chapter 25|16 pages

Ethnic Conflict

chapter Chapter 26|14 pages

Terrorism

chapter Chapter 27|16 pages

Counterterrorism

chapter Chapter 28|17 pages

Counterinsurgency

chapter Chapter 29|17 pages

Intelligence

chapter Chapter 30|17 pages

Economic Threats

chapter Chapter 31|16 pages

Transnational Organized Crime

chapter Chapter 32|17 pages

Global Arms Trade

chapter Chapter 33|16 pages

Migration and Refugees

chapter Chapter 34|15 pages

Energy Security

chapter Chapter 35|16 pages

Women, Peace, and Security

chapter Chapter 36|16 pages

Environmental Change

chapter Chapter 37|16 pages

Health

chapter Chapter 38|20 pages

Emerging Technologies

chapter Chapter 39|15 pages

Cybersecurity

chapter Chapter 40|18 pages

Outer Space