Why is security an “essentially contested concept” and what ways are there to overcome this?

Hausarbeit , 2012 , 4 Seiten , Note: 1

Politik - Thema: Frieden und Konflikte, Sicherheit

Although it seems that everyone has a basic similar notion of what the term security means and implicates, scholars have struggled to find a coherent definition and disagree on how far the concept can or should be expanded. This essay will show that security is indeed a highly contested concept, but that it has been questioned whether security can also be classified as an “essentially contested concept” in the way Walter Bryce Gallie introduced this term. The criticism of the classification of security as a contested concept as formulated by David Baldwin will be drawn into account as well as Arnold Wolfers' conclusion that security is a highly subjective matter. Furthermore, Ken Booth's suggestion for an interpretation of security in terms of emancipation in the Post-Cold War Era will be considered.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Why is security an “essentially contested concept” and what ways are there to overcome this?
• Starting with Wolfers essay gives the answer why there is even a need to narrow the concept of security down.
• Acknowledging this difficulty, Booth shows the contestedness of security by explaining how the concept changed over time and that in the Post Cold War Era it cannot only be associated with inter-state war anymore.
• The different light that Baldwin sheds on the definition of security does not only show again how highly contested this term is among scholars but he also explains why he does not view security as an “essentially contested concept” in the definition of Walter Bryce Gallie which is not mentioned in the two other articles.
• As already mentioned, Baldwin rephrases Wolfers' security definition in the \"low probability of damage to acquired values\" because this formulation focuses more on \"the preservation of acquired values” and events like earthquakes can be included more easily.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay explores the contested nature of the concept of security, examining how it has evolved in the context of the Post-Cold War era. The author analyzes different interpretations of security by prominent scholars like Wolfers, Booth, and Baldwin. The essay specifically seeks to understand whether security can be classified as an "essentially contested concept" as defined by Walter Bryce Gallie.

• The subjective and contested nature of security
• The evolution of the security concept in the Post-Cold War era
• The classification of security as an "essentially contested concept"
• Different approaches to defining and measuring security
• The importance of narrowing down the concept of security for effective academic and political discourse

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The essay begins by establishing the need for a precise definition of security due to its subjective and contested nature. Wolfers' analysis emphasizes the importance of considering both objective and subjective perspectives on security, which involve the absence of threats and the absence of fear, respectively. The essay further highlights the difficulties in defining security due to its subjective nature, which influences how states perceive threats and implement policies. Booth then explores the evolution of the security concept in the Post-Cold War era, arguing that it should be viewed in terms of emancipation, focusing on individual freedom and well-being. Baldwin's analysis critically examines the classification of security as an "essentially contested concept," arguing that it doesn't fully meet the criteria and suggesting alternative approaches for defining security. Finally, Baldwin proposes a more precise definition of security as the "low probability of damage to acquired values" and discusses the need to specify the values being protected and the threats posed.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary focus of the essay revolves around the concept of security, its contested nature, and the implications for academic and political discourse. Key terms include: security, essentially contested concept, emancipation, subjective perception, acquired values, threat, Post-Cold War Era, and definition of security. The essay also explores different approaches to defining security, emphasizing the need for specific considerations like the values being protected, the nature of the threats, and the intended audience for the analysis.

• Hochschule: Universiteit Utrecht (Roosevelt Academy)
• Veranstaltung: Security in the Post-Cold War Era
• Note: 1
• Autor: Nora Görne (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2012
• Seiten: 4
• Katalognummer: V189174
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656131120
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: security studies, international relations, international studies, internationale beziehungen, IB, IR, essentially contested concept, Walter Bryce Gallie, Wolfers, Booth, Baldwin, internationale politik