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Security in the Contemporary World Notes Chapter 5 Political science CBSE Class 12 Humanitas

CBSE Class 12 Contemporary World Politics (political science) Chapter Notes Security in the Contemporary World
16 April 2025 by
Akash Kumar

Security in the Contemporary World Notes Chapter 5 Political science CBSE Class 12 Humanitas

CBSE Class 12 Contemporary World Politics (political science) Chapter Notes Security in the Contemporary World

Introduction

This chapter takes a closer look at what security means in today's world. It's not just about military strength and alliances but also about dealing with new challenges that don't fit into traditional categories. From a battle-scarred landscape of history to the treacherous terrain of modern day terrorism, we will explore the strategies nations like India employ to shield themselves from harm. As the fragile boundaries between the external and internal security dissolve, the imperative of cooperation, global unity, and equitable development becomes the beacon of hope in a world suffering from security concerns. 

What is Security?

So, what is security? In simple words it can be defined as a “state of being free from threats or dangers that could harm one's core values, whether on an individual or national level”. This multifaceted concept encompasses various dimensions and approaches aimed at ensuring well being and stability. 

A dichotomy exists between traditional and non traditional security concepts. Security policies can be categorised into deterrence and defence strategies, with a focus on maintaining a balance of power to minimise conflict risk.


Traditional Notions of Security

For centuries, the concepet of security has been associated with external militray threats that pose a challenge to nations sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. These threats are are deemed significant as they directly undermines a country's fundamental values. During the time of conflicts, not only soldiers but civilians are also under direct threat. Therefore, when the conflict arises, governments are faced with impossible choices, which includes: 

  • Surrender: to accept the opposing sides demand, 
  • Deterrence: to retaliate and deter attack to prevent any future attacks. 
  • Defense: to take efforts to defend the nation against all overwhelming odds. 

Alliance Building & Traditional Security

In the context of traditional security, maintaining balance of power isn't about having a strong military, but it is also about having economic and technological muscle. These things work together to support military power and are closely tied to forming alliances. 

  • An alliance in this context, refers to coalition of nations engaged in collaborative efforts, to defend and deter against military agression, typically formalised through written treatise and a clear understanding of threats that loom on the horizon. 
  • Countries often enter into alliances in order to enhance their collective power as compared to the other nations and the possible alliances. 
  • The countries often get into alliances on the basis of their national interest, which is not fixed, but keep on fluctuating. The notable example is the United States’ support for islamic militant in Afghanistan during 1980s as a countermeasure to the Soviet Union's influence. Hwpever following the emergence of Al Qaeda and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, the United States reassessed it's position and took action against these militants. 

Internal Security and Cold War Era

  • When we think of traditional security, we often associate it with external threats. Hwoever it is also about the internal security. In the aftermath of world war two, the internal environment of powerful nations, such as united States and Soviet union,appeared relatively secure. 
  • In contrast, European countries, particularly those in western Europe, faced negligible internal threats and thus prioritised external challenges.
  • However, soon after the end of world war two, the world faced the rise of cold war thereby creating tensions between western and communist alliances. 
  • Though the alliances made efforts to prevent wars in these hostile environment, Europe suffered violence in their colonies as the colonised population  demanded independence. 
  • The rising demand for independence led to the establishment of many new independent countries, which were facing new unique security challenges, that included internal conflicts and wars with neighbours. 

Non-Traditional Security 

In the world engulfed with insecufities, the concept of security has evolved to confront the complexities of human existence. Human security, in this context reorient the focus towards the individual addressing a broader spectre of insecurities including poverty, hunger and civil strife. 

The branch of non-traditional security has branched out to include various other domains, that are 

  • Economic security: to ensure that people are provided with stable economic condition, can engage in trustworthy trade and financial system thereby ensuring prosperity. 
  • Environmental Security: to protect environment and prevent any kind of environmental degradation, climate change and resource scarcity. 
  • Cybersecurity: with the rise of technology, protecting citizens from cyberattacks is critical. These cyberattacks usually targets information systems, infrastructure and data. 
  • Food and Water Security: access to basic amenities like food and water is also vital. 
  • Health Security: in a globalised world, citizens have become more exposed to health threats, thereby facing pandemics, epidemics and public health crises. The prevention and protection therefore becomes important. 

Human Security

In the world where violence can erupt at any moment human security champions the cause of safeguarding individuals from the brutality that can unfold within their own borders. Furthermore, human security encompasses economic well being and threats to human dignity, adopting a comprehensive approach that includes “freedom from wants” and “freedom from fear”. 

Global security

As the world entered the 1990s, a new era of global security dawned. This concept of global security became more prominent due to issues like climate change, terrorism and health epidemics, that affect multiple countries. These transnational issues nessecitates a collaborative approach, as individual nation states often lack the requisite capacity to address them in isolation. 

Cooperative Security

As the world grapples with unprecedented threats, the need for cooperation has never been morenurgent. The deployment of force is increasingly regarded as last resort, with collaborative strategies being favoured instead by nations, NGOs and international organisation. India in particular adopt a multifaceted approach, levaraging democratic governance, economic development and regional stability to mitigate these threats. 


New Sources of Threats

The evolving landscape of global security has given rise to plethora of emerging threats, which nessecitates vigilant attentions and proactive measures. These new sources of threats have the potential to significantly impact national amd international security, thereby requiring urgent attention..


Terrorism

Terrorism is a form of intentional, indiscriminate violence perpetrated against civilian population with the primary intention of realizing political objectives. International terrorism knows no borders, employing brutal force to shatter the status quo and instill terror in the hearts of the civilians. The world was forver changed with the horrific 9/11 attcak, which cast a harsh spotlight on this global menace. 


Human Rights

The concept of human rights encompasses both, political rights like freeodm of expression, and assembly, and economic and social rights. The United Nations role in intervening in human rights crises, including genocides and invasion, is a subject of debate. This discussion highlights the tension between humanitarian concerns and national interests. 


Poverty and Population

The increase in global population, especially in developing countries presents significant security challenges, primarily due to exacerbating poverty. The pronounced diaparities between the northern and southern hemisphere generates a complex array of challenges, encompassing armed conflicts, migratory movements and the transmission of diseases. 


Epidemics

The proliferation of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, SARS etc, necessitates international cooperation to effectively contain and mitigate their impacts. Epidemics and pandemics showcase the inherent interdependence of nations, highlighting the need of global cooperation to address these shared health challenges. 

India's Security Strategy

External Security Measures

  • Military Response: india has historically employed military measures to counter traditional security threats, engaging in conflicts with neighbouring nations such as China (1962) and Pakistan. (1947-48, 1965, 1971, 1999) 
  • Nuclear Deterrence: in 1998, india conducted a nuclear weapon test, to ensure its own security in the environment where neighbouring countries posses nuclear capabilities. This approach is complemented by India's effort to strengthen international norms and institutions. 
  • Diplomacy and Disarmament: Jawahar Lal Nehru was a strong supporter of Asian solidarity, Disarmament and UN as a mechanism for solving international disputes. India is also supporter universal Non-proliferation for weapons of mass destruction. 
  • Non-alignment and Peace: India led Non-alignment movement allowing it to make independent decisions, by staying outside of the cold war blocs, thereby fostering regional stability. India has shown an utmost resolve towards the promotion of a fair and equitable platforms through its New World Economic Order (NIEO). 
  • Environmental Responsibility: india demonstrated it's dedication to environmental cooperation by endorsing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, aimed at mitigating global warming. The protocosl ratification by 160 countries underscores India's commitment to collaborative efforts addressing environmental challenges. 
  • Peacekeeping Contributions: India's Contributions to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide showcase it's dedication to cooperative security and international stability. 


Internal Security Measures

  • Unity through Democracy: India's democratic governance framework serves as a unifying force, enabling diverse communities to articulate their concerns and participate in the sharing of political power. 
  • Counterinsurgency: india has implemented counter insurgency measures to address internal secessionist threats, especially tragetting militant groups in regions like Kashmir, Nagaland, Punjab, Mizoram. 
  • Economic Development: As india matches towards a better future, it's committed to ensuring economic development that is characterised by inclusive growth seeking to mitigate poverty and socio-economic disparities among its citizens. 
  • Democratic Representation: The democratic politica framework facilitates the representation of marginalised voices thereby promoting social inclusion. 
  • Balancing Growth And Wellbeing: The country also strives for a balanced and harmonious blend of economic growth with human development, addressing the interrelated material and social needs of the population. 

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997, under the United Ntaion Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) mandates participating states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to anthropegenic global warming. The treaty aims to safeguard the environment and combat climate change, with the implementation commencing in 2005, and ratified by 192 countries.

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