Chapter 1 Self-test questions

. What is Security Studies?

The analysis of states and state interactions in the international system in the absence of an overarching authority or power

The analysis of the accumulation of tension in the international system and of the manifestation of organized political violence

Studying the survival of agents, traditionally meaning the survival of the state

The analysis of the global interactions and policies referring to military activity

. What does it mean to be secure?

Security means the coercive capability to stop an aggressor. Security is freedom from war, and the ability to deter or defeat aggressive attacks.

Security refers to safety from vulnerabilities (both external and internal) that could harm the state, societies within the state, and the values of those societies.

Security means freedom to enjoy the things that are most important to human survival and well-being, such as food, healthcare, and the opportunity to live well.

All of the above

. Which approach or perspective dominates post-Cold War Security Studies?

An examination of the social processes by which groups of people construct something as a threat

An agenda for peace; peacekeeping, peace-making, and conflict prevention as priorities for avoiding military confrontations

The re-addressing of past practice as a possible cause of insecurity

The strategy for state security that is preoccupied with creating and maintaining a distribution of power in the system, beneficial in terms of maintaining security and stability

. Which of the following might be considered part of the 'deepening and broadening' of security?

The nexus between identity and security

War, the military, and the sovereign state

Environmental changes

All of the above

. How should Security Studies be studied?

An examination of the social processes by which people construct a threat, taking into account the importance of ideational factors such as culture, beliefs, norms, ideas, and identity.

The separation of fact and value to generate theoretically grounded hypotheses, which can then be tested against evidence.

It is important to start with a basic understanding of security studies more generally. The easiest way is to read the textbook from cover to cover before focusing on specific chapters as needed.

None of the above

. Traditional approaches seek to explain why and how states have sought security. Which answer best describes the approach of traditional Security Studies?

Traditional theories explain international politics as the distribution of power among members of an international system, and specifically as the balance of power amongst major states. The relative power and the constraints of a state are reflective of the security strategy of that state.

The traditional approaches emerged in response to the Cold War, and to the accumulation of tension and competition between the two Superpowers. Traditional theories seek to explain behaviour in terms of arms accumulation.

Traditional conceptions emerged to explain the clusters of norms and patterns of behaviour that result in management of conflict and cooperation in the international system, in specific spheres of activities.

Traditional approaches are concerned with sovereign states. Sovereignty is a legal status; it gives the state control over a specified territory, means it is free from arbitrary intervention, and is responsible to no higher authority. Traditional theories examine the patterns of behaviour and relative cooperation of sovereign states in the international system.

. Which of the following best describes what is meant by security in the contemporary world, according to the field of Security Studies?

'A nation is secure to the extent to which it is not in danger of having to sacrifice core values if it wishes to avoid war, and is able, if challenged, to maintain them by victory in such a war.' Lippman, W.

'Security itself is a relative freedom from war, coupled with a relatively high expectation that defeat will not be a consequence of any war that should occur.' Bellamy, M.

'Emancipation is the freeing of people (as individuals and groups) from the physical and human constraints which stop them carrying out what they would freely choose to do . . . Security and emancipation are two sides of the same coin. Emancipation, not power or order, produces true security. Emancipation, theoretically, is security.' Booth, K.

None of the above

. How has coercive diplomacy featured in contemporary security studies?

Compellence and coercion through diplomacy are linked with the 'pre-emptive use of force'.

Coercive diplomacy is a softly-softly approach to international power bargaining, which has been side-lined in recent years.

Deterrence as a strategy has dominated contemporary instances of coercive diplomacy.

All of the above

. Why is Covid-19 considered to be a non-traditional security issue?

Covid-19 is a newly emergent disease that did not exist until very recently.

Ill health can threaten the state indirectly, but can also be a threat to other referent objects such as the economy.

The overwhelming scale of Covid-19 requires a new approach in order to theorize its impact on security.

None of the above—Covid-19 is better defined as a traditional security issue.

. In what ways is gender applicable to the field of Security Studies?

Women and children are dependent on the state for protection and Security Studies should include them and account for their needs.

Biological differences between men and women determine their suitability for different roles in protecting the state or referent object.

Gender is not applicable to Security Studies-to create a 'gender neutral' security arena we should disregard gender issues.

Social constructions of 'masculinity' or 'femininity' determine the roles in which men and women are expected to act, by considering these artificial roles we can ask important questions about the ways in which we conceptualize security.

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