Security in Interntional Relations
Chapter from the book:
Altınsoy,
Z.
D.
(ed.)
2025.
Russia and International Human Rights Law: Norms, Violations, Reactions.
Synopsis
Within the discipline of International Relations, the concept of security occupies a central theoretical and practical position, yet lacks a universally accepted definition. Traditional approaches, grounded in positivist epistemology, conceptualize security as an objective and universal phenomenon, whereas constructivist and post-positivist perspectives argue that security is socially constructed. During the Cold War, security studies were predominantly state-centric and focused on military threats; realism and neorealism posited that the anarchic structure of the international system compels states to engage in power struggles to ensure survival. In this context, military capabilities, alliances, and deterrence strategies constituted the core elements of traditional security thinking. Since the 1990s, the notion of security has expanded to encompass economic, environmental, human, and cyber dimensions. The Copenhagen School advanced a multidimensional framework that transcends the military domain, incorporating issues such as economic stability, identity politics, and individual safety. Human security emphasizes the protection of fundamental rights and living standards, while cyber security has emerged as a critical concern for states and private actors amid increasing digitalization. This transformation has introduced processes of broadening and deepening within security studies. Although traditional scholars critique this expansion for generating analytical ambiguity, security today is widely recognized as a multidimensional phenomenon. Beyond states, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society actors play significant roles in shaping security policies. Consequently, ensuring international security necessitates comprehensive, cooperative, and multi-actor strategies capable of addressing diverse threats and dynamic global challenges.
