Paperback

eBook

Elusive Security

States First, People Last

Laura Neack

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.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 278 • Trim: 6¼ x 8¾

978-0-7425-2866-6 • Paperback • October 2006 • $47.00 • (£36.00)

978-0-7425-7802-9 • eBook • October 2006 • $44.50 • (£35.00)

Series: New Millennium Books in International Studies

Subjects: Political Science / Security (National & International)

Elusive Security

States First, People Last

Paperback

eBook

Summary

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.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 278 • Trim: 6¼ x 8¾

978-0-7425-2866-6 • Paperback • October 2006 • $47.00 • (£36.00)

978-0-7425-7802-9 • eBook • October 2006 • $44.50 • (£35.00)

Series: New Millennium Books in International Studies

Subjects: Political Science / Security (National & International)

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

Reviews

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

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

Features

Includes historical framework and analysis of current controversial security policies such as the war on terror and preemptive versus preventive war

Explores the changing nature of external and internal security threats, with special attention to terrorism and the transformation of warfare

Explains how the difficulties and failures of United Nations peace and security efforts can be understood by examining how the UN system was built on a state-first security ethic

Discusses recent proposals for the promotion of an international responsibility to protect human beings from violence

Provides extended discussion boxes to illustrate concepts and debates

Ideal for upper-level undergraduate courses on national security, international security, strategic studies, terrorism, global problems, and the United Nations

Elusive Security

States First, People Last

Laura Neack

Elusive Security

States First, People Last

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