Security Studies: An Introduction

by Paul D. Williams (Editor)

Security Studies is the most comprehensive textbook available on security studies. It gives students a detailed overview of the major theoretical approaches, key themes and most significant issues within security studies. Part 1 explores the main theoretical approaches currently used within the field from realism to international political sociology. Part 2 explains the central concepts underpinning contemporary debates from the security dilemma to terrorism. Part 3 presents an overview of the institutional security architecture currently influencing world politics using international, regional and global levels of analysis. Part 4 examines some of the key contemporary challenges to global security from the arms trade to energy security. Part 5 discusses the future of security. Security Studies provides a valuable teaching tool for undergraduates and MA students by collecting these related strands of the field together into a single coherent textbook.

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

576 pages, Paperback

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.