Contemporary Security Studies

by Alan Collins (editor)

With unrivalled coverage of a wide range of issues - from terrorism, inter-state conflict and nuclear deterrence, to environmental security, health, and transnational crime - Contemporary Security Studies is the definitive introduction to Security Studies. Bringing together contributions from leading scholars, it provides a student-friendly guide to traditional and critical theoretical approaches, as well as the most important contemporary issues that dominate the modern security field.

The sixth edition has been substantially updated, with significantly revised chapters on Securitization and Transnational Crime, and coverage of recent developments - including the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and forced migration - incorporated throughout. A brand-new chapter on popular culture and security provides an innovative overview and cutting-edge analysis of the role that popular culture plays in shaping and understanding security-related processes, as well as its place in the study of international relations, with examples ranging from Star Trek and Game of Thrones, to Disney cartoons and K-pop.

Students are encouraged throughout to question their own preconceptions of Security Studies, and to use their own judgement to critically evaluate key approaches and ideas. To help them achieve this, each chapter contains 'key ideas' boxes, 'think point' boxes, and case studies, the latter of which demonstrate the real-world applications, relevance, and implications of each theory.

Digital formats and resources
The sixth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats.

The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access, along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

In addition to helpful learning features within the book, the text is accompanied by online resources designed to help students to take their learning further.

For
- Explore relevant security issues in greater depth with additional online case studies
- Test your understanding of the key ideas and themes in each chapter with self-marking multiple-choice questions
- Expand your knowledge of the subject with web links to additional reliable sources
- Test your knowledge of key terminology using the flashcard glossary

For registered
- Use the adaptable PowerPoint slides as the basis for lecture presentations, or as hand-outs in class

Genres: International Relations, Nonfiction, Academic, Politics, Textbooks

584 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2007

Reviews

[Mayim de Vries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plain but fine. Good for starters.

Issue-centred perspective incorporating many theoretical approaches.

[Lovis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kul kurslitteratur!! Vissa kapitel är såklart mer intressanta än andra men det är mest baserat på intresse. En del kapitel kändes rätt vinklade men det behöver inte vara en dålig grej, beror ju på vad man använder den till. Mina favoritkapitel är de som handlar om olika sorters säkerhet, något jag inte hade tänkt på fanns innan om jag ska vara helt ärlig.

[Michal Paszkiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to security studies with thought provoking chapters that give different perspectives on the subject. Many examples and the analysis of them were given.

My main concern with this book is that it doesnt clearly demonstrate how a single example can be well explained by different frameworks. The realist perspective is also not thoroughly explored.

[Armantee]

Oh, how I love politics. 🙃

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was for my class on international security and did provide insight to the realm of IS, however I think that it was only used in class because my professor had a chapter he wrote in it. He didn't really use it much other than a few other chapters. I think he did this only to increase circulation. It was usually well written, but with different authors for different chapters leaves plenty variation. Stan Taylor from BYU had a chapter in it about the CIA and information gathering, but at times it seemed childishly written but in the end covered the topic generally well. I wished I wouldn't have bought it however.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read for anyone interested in security issues. But I do believe that if you are interested in ir theories there are far better books explaining that, the issues that dead with Buzan are quite well explained. The third part of the book is not necessary, I am quite sure that anyone who has studied security issues knows a lot about it, and the essays don't offer anything new.But, it's a great book for beginners.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a really good book that explained the different theories its presenting in a very good way. It's a book that I've been using many times by now.

[Rachel 💚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

didnt find this very helpful AT ALL! was a bit wishy washy and tried to be too general