Question

What is security? Discuss the traditional methods of security.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Security, in political science, means being free from major threats to a country's existence, its people, or its way of life. Traditionally, this idea was almost entirely about military and territorial safety.

Step 2: Defining security.
Security refers to freedom from serious threats, especially the threat of war or attack by another country. A country is considered "secure" when it can protect its borders, government, and citizens from outside aggression.

Step 3: The traditional (military) methods.
Traditional security relied mainly on hard power. States built up strong armies and weapons to deter attack, formed alliances such as NATO or the Warsaw Pact so that an attack on one member meant war with all of them, and used the balance of power, where countries built up enough strength so that no single country could dominate the rest. Diplomacy and treaties were also used to formally settle disputes and prevent war.

Final Answer:
Security is protection from major threats to a state's survival, and the traditional methods to achieve it were military strength, defence alliances, and maintaining a balance of power among states.