Critical security studies: Difference between revisions
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{{about|those theories that reject "traditional" security theories|the critical school of security studies associated with Aberystwyth|Welsh School (security studies)}} |
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{{International relations theory sidebar|expanded=Marxism}} |
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'''Critical security studies (CSS)''' is an [[academic discipline]] within [[security studies]] which draws on [[critical theory]] to revise and, at times, reject the narrow focus of mainstream approaches to security. Similarly to the case of [[critical international relations theory]], critical security studies encompasses a wide range of theories including but not limited to: [[Feminism in international relations|feminist]], [[neo-Gramscian]], [[Marxist]], [[post-structuralist]], [[postcolonial]], and [[queer theory]].<ref>Browning, C. S., & McDonald, M. (2011). The future of critical security studies: Ethics and the politics of security. ''European Journal of International Relations'', ''19''(2), 238</ref> Additionally, critical security studies, draws from a number of related disciplines such as [[sociology]], [[anthropology]], and [[criminology]] to find alternative routes to approach questions of security. |
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'''Critical Security Studies''' is an [[academic discipline]] within [[security studies]] which rejects mainstream approaches to security |
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==Definition== |
==Definition== |
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Defining critical security studies can be difficult due to the wide range of theories involved, meaning that any single definition is likely to exclude works and scholars who would list themselves, or be listed by most scholars as part of the subfield.<ref>The future of critical security studies, 236</ref> Due to this, most definitions of critical security studies focus on listing shared components rather than create a single definition. Browning and McDonald argue that critical security studies entails three main components: the first is a rejection of conventional (particularly [[Realism (international relations)|realist]]) approaches to security, rejecting or critiquing the theories, epistemology, and implications of realism, such as the total focus on the role of the state when approaching questions of security.<ref>The future of critical security studies, 236</ref> The second is that of critically examining the meaning of security and the politics surrounding it, in particular the "function of representations or discourses of security in defining group identity, enabling particular policy or legitimating particular actors as security providers."<ref>The future of critical security studies, 236</ref> One such example of this is that of the [[Copenhagen School (international relations)|Copenhagen School]] and their theory of [[Securitization (international relations)|securitization]]. The third component, is that of critically examining the ethics and approaches inherent to the study of security.<ref>The future of critical security studies, 235</ref> More recent topics of concern include [[environmental security|environmental]] and [[Planetary habitability|planetary]], [[health security|health]], [[ontological security#Ontological security in International Relations|ontological]], [[border security|border]] or everyday security.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Peoples, Vaughan-Williams |title=Critical security studies: An introduction |date=2021 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York|edition=3rd}}</ref> |
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Some use the term critical security studies to refer to all approaches that are critical of mainstream/orthodox realist approaches. Others see Critical Security Studies as a distinct approach in its own right committed to emancipatory theory.<ref> Williams, Paul (2005) 'Critical Security Studies' in ''International Society and Its Critics'', A. Bellamy (ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, P. 135</ref> Those representing the latter view are usually referred to as [[the Welsh School]. |
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==Uses of the term== |
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The term "critical security studies" is most often used to refer to some variation of the above definition of critical security studies, as a subfield of [[security studies]] or a set of alternative paradigms within that field. However, it has also been used to refer to a specific strand of approaches within this subfield, which has as its most characteristic element a commitment to [[Emancipation|emancipatory theory]] that is not shared by other critical approaches to security.<ref>Williams, Paul (2005) 'Critical Security Studies' in ''International Society and Its Critics'', A. Bellamy (ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 135</ref> The authors representing this latter view, such as [[Ken Booth (academic)|Ken Booth]] and [[Richard Wyn Jones]], are usually referred to as the Aberystwyth or [[Welsh School (security studies)|Welsh School]] to avoid ambiguity.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=[[C.A.S.E. collective]] |title=Critical Approaches to Security in Europe. A Networked Manifesto |journal=[[Security Dialogue]] |date=2006 |volume=37 |issue=4 |page=448}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Peoples, Vaughan-Williams |title=Critical security studies: An introduction |date=2021 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |page=32 |edition=3rd}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Politics}} |
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*[[Critical theory]] |
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*[[Critical international relations theory]] |
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*[[Copenhagen School (international relations)]] |
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*[[Welsh School (security studies)]] |
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*[[International Political Sociology (IPS)|International political sociology]] |
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*[[Postmodernism (international relations)]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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*Krause, K., & Williams, M. C. (1997). ''Critical security studies: Concepts and strategies''. New York: Routledge. {{ISBN|9781857287332}} |
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*Peoples, C., & Vaughan-Williams, N. (2021). ''Critical security studies: An introduction'' (3rd edition). New York: Routledge. {{ISBN|9780367224257}} |
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*Salter, M., & Mutlu, C. E. (eds.). (2013). ''Research methods in critical security studies''. New York: Routledge. {{ISBN|9780415535397}} |
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{{Critical theory}} |
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{{Security Studies}} |
{{Security Studies}} |
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[[Category:International relations theory]] |
[[Category:International relations theory]] |
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[[Category:Security studies]] |
[[Category:Security studies]] |
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[[fr:Critical Security Studies]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:18, 19 June 2024
| International relations theory |
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 Politics portal |
Critical security studies (CSS) is an academic discipline within security studies which draws on critical theory to revise and, at times, reject the narrow focus of mainstream approaches to security. Similarly to the case of critical international relations theory, critical security studies encompasses a wide range of theories including but not limited to: feminist, neo-Gramscian, Marxist, post-structuralist, postcolonial, and queer theory.[1] Additionally, critical security studies, draws from a number of related disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and criminology to find alternative routes to approach questions of security.
Definition
[edit]Defining critical security studies can be difficult due to the wide range of theories involved, meaning that any single definition is likely to exclude works and scholars who would list themselves, or be listed by most scholars as part of the subfield.[2] Due to this, most definitions of critical security studies focus on listing shared components rather than create a single definition. Browning and McDonald argue that critical security studies entails three main components: the first is a rejection of conventional (particularly realist) approaches to security, rejecting or critiquing the theories, epistemology, and implications of realism, such as the total focus on the role of the state when approaching questions of security.[3] The second is that of critically examining the meaning of security and the politics surrounding it, in particular the "function of representations or discourses of security in defining group identity, enabling particular policy or legitimating particular actors as security providers."[4] One such example of this is that of the Copenhagen School and their theory of securitization. The third component, is that of critically examining the ethics and approaches inherent to the study of security.[5] More recent topics of concern include environmental and planetary, health, ontological, border or everyday security.[6]
Uses of the term
[edit]The term "critical security studies" is most often used to refer to some variation of the above definition of critical security studies, as a subfield of security studies or a set of alternative paradigms within that field. However, it has also been used to refer to a specific strand of approaches within this subfield, which has as its most characteristic element a commitment to emancipatory theory that is not shared by other critical approaches to security.[7] The authors representing this latter view, such as Ken Booth and Richard Wyn Jones, are usually referred to as the Aberystwyth or Welsh School to avoid ambiguity.[8][9]
See also
[edit]- Critical theory
- Critical international relations theory
- Copenhagen School (international relations)
- Welsh School (security studies)
- International political sociology
- Postmodernism (international relations)
References
[edit]- ^ Browning, C. S., & McDonald, M. (2011). The future of critical security studies: Ethics and the politics of security. European Journal of International Relations, 19(2), 238
- ^ The future of critical security studies, 236
- ^ The future of critical security studies, 236
- ^ The future of critical security studies, 236
- ^ The future of critical security studies, 235
- ^ Peoples, Vaughan-Williams (2021). Critical security studies: An introduction (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge.
- ^ Williams, Paul (2005) 'Critical Security Studies' in International Society and Its Critics, A. Bellamy (ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 135
- ^ C.A.S.E. collective (2006). "Critical Approaches to Security in Europe. A Networked Manifesto". Security Dialogue. 37 (4): 448.
- ^ Peoples, Vaughan-Williams (2021). Critical security studies: An introduction (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge. p. 32.
Further reading
[edit]- Krause, K., & Williams, M. C. (1997). Critical security studies: Concepts and strategies. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9781857287332
- Peoples, C., & Vaughan-Williams, N. (2021). Critical security studies: An introduction (3rd edition). New York: Routledge. ISBN 9780367224257
- Salter, M., & Mutlu, C. E. (eds.). (2013). Research methods in critical security studies. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9780415535397