Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World

Long Answer Questions (English, Detailed)

Q1. Define security. Explain the difference between traditional and non-traditional notions of security.

Introduction:
Security means protection from threats to sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, or human survival.

Body:
– Traditional security: State-centred, focus on military threats. Strategies include deterrence, defence, balance of power, alliances.
– Non-traditional security: People-centred, focus on poverty, health, environment, human rights, terrorism, migration.

Conclusion:
Traditional security deals with survival of the state, while non-traditional security deals with survival and dignity of individuals and humanity.

Q2. Describe the traditional notions of external security.

Introduction:
Traditional security views other states as the main source of threats.

Body:
– Sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity are at stake.
– Main instruments:
  1. Deterrence – prevent war by making costs high.
  2. Defence – protect when attacked.
  3. Balance of power – maintain parity to prevent dominance.
  4. Alliances – NATO, Warsaw Pact for collective defence.

Conclusion:
External security remains central in world politics, but now supplemented by wider non-traditional concerns.

Q3. Explain the internal aspects of traditional security.

Introduction:
Internal security deals with stability within the state.

Body:
– Newly independent countries faced separatist movements and ethnic conflicts.
– Issues included civil wars, border disputes, coups, and insurgency.
– Example: India (Nagaland, Punjab, Kashmir), Sri Lanka (ethnic conflict), African states after independence.

Conclusion:
Internal security is crucial as domestic instability often invites external interference.

Q4. What are the main instruments of cooperation in traditional security?

Introduction:
While military power is key, cooperation also reduces threats.

Body:
– Disarmament: Elimination of certain weapons (Biological & Chemical Weapons Conventions).
– Arms Control: Regulate arms (SALT, START, NPT).
– Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): Sharing military info to reduce mistrust (e.g., India–Pakistan hotline).

Conclusion:
These cooperative steps prevent escalation and maintain peace.

Q5. What is human security? Explain its narrow and broad aspects.

Introduction:
Human security shifts focus from states to people.

Body:
– Narrow aspect: Protection from political violence, wars, terrorism.
– Broad aspect: Protection from poverty, hunger, disease, disasters, unemployment.
– Example: COVID-19 pandemic showed the need for global health security.

Conclusion:
Human security ensures dignity and survival of individuals, not just survival of states.

Q6. Discuss the non-traditional threats to security in the contemporary world.

Introduction:
Non-traditional security concerns gained importance after the Cold War.

Body:
– Terrorism: Political violence targeting civilians (9/11, Mumbai 2008).
– Human Rights Violations: Suppression of civil, political, and minority rights.
– Poverty & Inequality: North–South divide, lack of development.
– Refugees & Migration: Due to wars (Syria, Afghanistan), persecution, disasters.
– Health Epidemics: HIV/AIDS, SARS, COVID-19, bird flu.
– Environment: Climate change, global warming, deforestation.

Conclusion:
These issues require collective global response and cooperation.

Q7. What is cooperative security? Why is it important today?

Introduction:
Cooperative security means addressing threats collectively through cooperation rather than force.

Body:
– Applies to terrorism, epidemics, climate change, migration.
– Cooperation may be bilateral, regional, or global.
– Involves UN, WHO, NGOs, states, businesses, individuals.
– Example: Global response to COVID, Paris Climate Agreement.

Conclusion:
Today’s security challenges are interconnected; cooperation is the only sustainable solution.

Q8. Explain India’s security strategy.

Introduction:
India’s strategy balances traditional and non-traditional concerns.

Body:
1. Military strength: Modernisation, nuclear deterrence, wars with Pakistan & China.
2. International norms: Commitment to UN, NAM, disarmament, climate treaties.
3. Internal unity: Democracy accommodates diversity; handling separatism in Nagaland, Punjab, Kashmir.
4. Economic development: Growth with equity to reduce poverty and strengthen security.

Conclusion:
India follows a multi-dimensional strategy, combining hard power with cooperation and development.

Q9. Compare disarmament and arms control.

Introduction:
Both are measures for cooperative security but differ in scope.

Body:
– Disarmament: Elimination of weapons categories (nuclear ban, biological weapons ban).
– Arms Control: Regulating number, types, and deployment of arms (SALT, START).
– Disarmament is more idealistic; arms control is more practical.

Conclusion:
Both are necessary to reduce risks of war and build confidence among states.

Q10. “Security today is comprehensive and cooperative.” Discuss.

Introduction:
Security in the 21st century includes both traditional (military) and non-traditional (human/global) aspects.

Body:
– Comprehensive: Includes state survival, human dignity, environment, poverty, health.
– Cooperative: Requires collective action – climate change, pandemics, terrorism cannot be solved by single states.
– Examples: Paris Agreement (climate), WHO-led COVID response, UN peacekeeping.

Conclusion:
Security is no longer about armies alone; it is about global cooperation for sustainable peace and development.