International Security Studies

Peter Hough is Professor of International Relations at Middlesex University London, UK, and author of Understanding Global Security (2023) and Environmental Security (2022).Andrew Moran is Professor of Politics and International Relations at London Metropolitan University, UK, and has published widely on US politics and foreign policy.Bruce Pilbeam is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at London Metropolitan University, UK, and author of Conservatism in Crisis? (2003).

Praise for the 1st edition:'Viewed in the larger social context security embraces every dimension of human life, yet we persist in defining it according to our own narrow preoccupations. The authors of this book have done a signal service in bringing together in one volume so many diverse viewpoints. In doing so, they have added significantly to our understanding of war and peace.' Christopher Coker, London School of Economics, UK'It has been commonly accepted for many years now that security is an essentially contested concept, and analysts have sought to find ways of expressing the full meaning of that realisation in forms that students can comfortably digest. There have been a number of such attempts. This volume achieves that end incredibly well. It does so through a comprehensiveness of approach and a subtlety of interpretation that will no doubt benefit successive cohorts of those studying this elusive concept.' Stuart Croft, University of Warwick, UK'An excellent teaching resource, written with students in mind, accessible, expansive in scope and yet detailed with a wide range of relevant case studies. An indispensable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students. If you only buy one book on security this has to be it.' Lee Marsden, University of East Anglia, UK'This collection of original essays succeeds brilliantly in its three central aims: to map the intellectual currents within the discipline of International Security Studies; to survey the contemporary international security environment; and to consider key cases. The book combines breadth with depth, enabling students to understand vital aspects of international politics. Recommended without reservation.’ John Dumbrell, Durham University, UK'International Security Studies is an essential introductory text for students. It frames the core intellectual debates that have defined the discipline by giving readers an accessible grounding in a broad range of contending understandings of security from realism to post-colonialism. It provides a compelling overview of the contemporary security environment and explores a comprehensive listing of key topics from nuclear proliferation to natural disasters. Moreover, it offers detailed regional and thematic case studies as a means of demonstrating how the theoretical and conceptual insights of security studies can be applied to better understand the security dynamics that are critical to world politics. The variety of cases on offer will capture the imaginations of students from those interested in the security challenges emerging in the aftermath of the Arab Spring to those yearning to learn more about the militarization of outer-space. In sum, International Security Studies offers an excellent mix of theoretical and empirical material that delivers a comprehensive and sophisticated, yet student-friendly, overview of contemporary security studies.' Kyle Grayson, Newcastle University, UK'This is an ambitious and successful book – which is good because it is also a necessary book. The authors present an exhaustive look at security with chapters on theoretical approaches, to chapters on old and new topics in security (such as the intersections of security with religion, the environment, and crime and security among others), to chapters on country case studies. This book will become the standard for security studies courses for its breadth, writing and consistency.' Laura Neack, Miami University, USA

• SECTION I: Conceptual and Theoretical 1 Framing a Discipline 2 The Traditional Routes to Security: Realism and Liberalism 3 Challenging Orthodoxy: Critical Security Studies 4 Feminist Security Studies 5 Human Security 6 Constructing Security SECTION II: Military Security 7 Reflecting on War and Peace 8 New Wars, Globalisation and Failed States 9 Nuclear Proliferation 10 The International Arms Trade in Conventional Weapons 11 Terrorism 12 Religion and International Conflict 13 Intelligence and Security 14 The Rise of Private Military and Security Companies SECTION III: Non-military Security 15 Environmental Security 16 Crime and Security 17 The Securitization of the LGBTQ+ Community 18 Food Security 19 Pandemics and Security 20 Disasters and Security 21 Migration and Security 22 Cybersecurity SECTION IV: Institutions and Security 23 The United Nations and Collective Security 24 NATO and Security Alliance Theory 25 Regional Security Organisations SECTION V: Case Studies 26 The United States: Seeking Security in an Age of Upheaval 27 Russia, the Black Sea Region and Security after the Invasion of Ukraine 28 China and Comprehensive Security 29 Security in Europe: The Triumph of Institution-Building? 30 The Horn of Africa and Great Power Rivalry 31 The Arctic 32 The Middle East and Security 33 Korea 34 Security Perspectives on Latin America 35 Space and Security 36 Conclusion: Where to Next?