Introduction

This chapter introduces the concept and practice of security in international relations. It explores various dilemmas of security faced by states, individuals and the global community, by first examining how security has been differently defined, and second by surveying how different theoretical approaches (realism, liberalism, constructivism, feminism and critical theory) have understood and analysed security.

Four crises

In October 1962 an American U-2 reconnaissance aircraft returned from a routine overflight of Cuba with photographs of Soviet personnel and machinery installing nuclear missiles aimed at the US – precipitating a crisis that almost led to global nuclear war (Blight and Lang 2005).

In July 1997 the government of Thailand floated its currency, the baht, on international markets after losing US$23 billion trying to defend its value from attack by traders. It lost 15 per cent of its value in one day, provoking a contagious effect across East Asia that resulted in widespread corporate bankruptcies, massive falls in economic growth and employment, the fall of governments, and protests, riots and civil violence that took thousands of lives (Robison et al 2000).

Two years later, in September 1999, the people of East Timor voted in a referendum on independence from Indonesia, only to fall victim to a campaign of murder and destruction by Indonesian-backed militias. After many days of carnage and intense international diplomacy, the UN Security Council authorised a military intervention led by Australia to stop the violence (McDonald et al 2002).