Understanding Global Security: Textbook

by Peter Hough

International security has once again become a crucial issue in the post-September 11th world. This textbook introduces students to the core issues of both 'hard' security, which dominated the Cold War, and the 'soft' security that has emerged since, in a clear and concise format that is easy to follow.

Understanding Global Security uses helpful case studies to illustrate the key concepts behind the increasing number of non-military threats to security such as terrorism, ethnic rivalries and transnational crime, whilst still exploring the more conventional areas such as war, nuclear weapons and the balance of power. A highly topical account that includes discussion of the 2003 Iraq War, this is the best introductory textbook for students of security studies, strategic studies and international relations. Key content includes:

defining security and the international political agenda
military threats from states and non-state actors
social identity and the economy as threats to security
environmental and health threats
terrorism
natural, man-made and criminal threats
future of security.

Genres: Politics, International Relations, Academia

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clear and well-organized, Understanding Global Security is the perfect introduction to the subject. Important words are easiy pointed out, and sections are arranged neatly with headers. This was a very easy book to read and understand.

[Rosie K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Intro to IRG class, International Security unit.

I liked this textbook much more than our one for the previous unit! This author does a better job of not writing with an implicitly Eurocentric bias; he offers fair and objective definitions of the many different perspectives. Historical and contemporary events are woven in well, and the writing is clear.