Elusive Security: States First, People Last / Edition 1

by Laura Neack

Overview

This clear and concise text offers a comprehensive comparison of national, international, and human security concepts and policies. Laura Neack argues that security remains elusive because of a centuries-old ethic insisting that states are the primary and most important international actors, can rely ultimately only on themselves for protection, and must keep all options on the table for national security. The author compellingly demonstrates how a state-first security ethic ultimately fails to secure states, the international community and—most important—human beings.

Although security as a concept can be widened to include almost any aspect of existence, Neack focuses especially on security from physical violence, beginning with efforts by states to defend themselves against violent attack. She explores such topics as the internal and external dimensions of security, terrorism, and defending the homeland; threat perception and responses; preemptive and preventive wars; and other military interventions. Next, Neack examines efforts over the past century to protect states through the construction of the United Nations international security system and how collective security, peacekeeping, and peace enforcement have been used in that system. Throughout, Neack shows that human security has only mattered in terms of servicing the state's security needs, a critique she takes up directly in the final chapters. A range of short and extended case studies are offered to illustrate the conceptual materials and policy debates over security. In this state-first world, we only can choose between degrees of insecurity; true security remains elusive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742528666
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/19/2006
Series:	New Millennium Books in International Studies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	6.15(w) x 8.75(h) x 0.82(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Laura Neack is professor of political science at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Elusive Security Chapter 2: National Security Chapter 3: Terrorism Chapter 4: Identifying External Security Threats Chapter 5: Defending against External Security Threats Chapter 6: Going on the Offensive Chapter 7: International Security Chapter 8: The United Nations and International Security Chapter 9: Keeping the Peace Chapter 10: Human Security Conclusion: Reimagining Our Choices

What People are Saying About This

Karen Mingst

Guided by a provocative and disquieting thesis that national security fails at every level, Neack skillfully analyzes how the international system, especially the United Nations, protects states and the great power state system. This comprehensive treatment, a blend of theory and policy, generalizations and comparative cases, is bound to inform and stimulate.

Editorial Reviews

Guided by a provocative and disquieting thesis that national security fails at every level, Neack skillfully analyzes how the international system, especially the United Nations, protects states and the great power state system. This comprehensive treatment, a blend of theory and policy, generalizations and comparative cases, is bound to inform and stimulate.

Karen A. Mingst

This is a well-written and convincing read.. .. A good reference work for students, academics and others working with security issues on a national or international level.

Naima Mouhleb

Guided by a provocative and disquieting thesis that national security fails at every level, Neack skillfully analyzes how the international system, especially the United Nations, protects states and the great power state system. This comprehensive treatment, a blend of theory and policy, generalizations and comparative cases, is bound to inform and stimulate.--Karen A. Mingst, University of Kentucky

This is a well-written and convincing read. . . . A good reference work for students, academics and others working with security issues on a national or international level.--Naima Mouhleb, Uppsala University "Journal of Peace Research "

From the Publisher

Guided by a provocative and disquieting thesis that national security fails at every level, Neack skillfully analyzes how the international system, especially the United Nations, protects states and the great power state system. This comprehensive treatment, a blend of theory and policy, generalizations and comparative cases, is bound to inform and stimulate.

Karen Mingst