Regional Security Architecture: Some Terms and Organizations
Abstract
International security and international relations pose dilemmas. First is the security dilemma itself: the quest for security generates uncertainty and strategic rivalry between states. Many nations mistrust their neighbors strategic intentions and feel insecure. They seek to overcome these feelings by developing defensive military forces and, if possible, arming these with technologically-superior arms. While this may make the nation arming itself feel more secure, its newfound military capabilities, particularly if these are acquired or developed without transparency about its strategic intentions, may make its neighbors feel insecure. Indeed, nations arming and/or re-arming themselves may provoke an arms race. External powers may get involved for their own ends by providing arms and/or by developing strategic alliances. Overall, therefore, the securitization process may actually cause greater insecuritynot greater securityin a region, particularly if a nations capabilities and/or intentions are perceived to be hostile, offensive, or a quest for power or domination. These can be principal causes of war, an activity that most nations abhor and try to resist engaging in, partly because its effects and are impacts are uncertain and/or uncontrollable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1056725
Entities
People
- Christopher Snedden
Organizations
- Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies