Security Studies: An Introduction

by Paul D. Williams (Editor), Matt McDonald (Editor)

Security An Introduction, 4th edition, is the most comprehensive textbook available on the subject, providing students with in-depth coverage of traditional and critical approaches and an essential grounding in the debates, frameworks, and issues of the contemporary security agenda.

This new edition has been completely revised and updated, to cover major developments such as COVID-19, the rise of populism, climate change, China and Russia’s place in the world, and the Trump administration. It also includes new chapters on great power rivalry, emerging technologies, and economic threats.

Divided into four parts, the text provides students with a detailed, accessible overview of the major theoretical approaches, key themes, and most significant issues within security studies.

Part 1 explores the main theoretical approaches from both traditional and critical standpoints Part 2 explains the central concepts underpinning contemporary debates Part 3 presents an overview of the institutional security architecture Part 4 examines some of the key contemporary challenges to global security Collecting these related strands into a single textbook creates a valuable teaching tool and a comprehensive, accessible learning resource for undergraduates and MA students.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, International Relations, Military History, Political Science

728 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

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Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Worst essay I’ve ever had to write. Never ever again.

[Michiel Van R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Tara van Beurden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was the required text for a Security Studies subject I did as part of International Relations Masters last year. I read the first three chapters before I started the course, and then only made it through a few more chapters before the end of the course - its busy work studying and holding down a full time job. Nonetheless, despite my limited progress during semester, I actually found this to be quite interesting for a text book. It comprehensively covers over thirty topics within the security studies discipline, including environmental and energy security, as well as the future of discipline and the challenges of academia versus policy. The text never gets too academic, so its easily readable by anyone who grasps the basics of the humanities. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone studying in the security studies discipline.

[M Mustafa Sv · Rating 4 out of 5]

*read the 4th Edition.
Great introductory book on International Security and it's interplay in International Relations. The language was easy to understand and the concepts were easily explained especially the Critical Security Studies and other concepts such as Terrorism, Intelligence etc.

[rd · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a course (Senioruniversitet).

A textbook on Security Studies. And how exciting can a textbook be?

Good survey of relevant topics. But get the most recent edition! I read one a couple years old and it was already out-of-date.