Contextualizing Security

This book serves as an introductory reader for students exploring the complexities of international security studies and contemporary debates.

Security studies, often referred to as international security studies, is a vital academic subfield within international relations. It delves into themes surrounding organized violence, military conflict, and national security, providing a comprehensive understanding of these complex issues. Contextualizing Security serves as an essential introduction to this field, presenting a diverse collection of original essays, primary source lectures, and previously published works that intersect with security studies, political science, sociology, journalism, and philosophy.

This compilation is designed to equip both graduate and undergraduate students with foundational knowledge as well as insights into contemporary debates within security studies. The book comprises nineteen chapters that explore various dimensions of security, including homeland security, U.S. foreign policy, and lessons learned from the Cold War. It also addresses modern challenges such as science and technology policy, drones, cybersecurity, the War on Terror, migration, study-abroad programs, and the implications of the surveillance state, with particular focus on regions like Africa and China.

Contextualizing Security features contributions from a range of experts, including scholars and practitioners, providing a well-rounded perspective on the pressing issues in security studies today. This introductory reader is an invaluable resource for students seeking to navigate the complexities of international security and understand the multifaceted debates shaping the field.