Abstract
The traditional approach to security is rooted in a strategy of balance of power among great powers and hence national security was based on situational interpretation of the concept among the great powers. Two negative and positive approaches have been used by states to interpret the concept of domestic security and national security. During the Cold War, the USA and the USSR applied negative approaches, and by generalizing the interpretation of their national interests to their spheres of influence, internationalized the concept. In other words, their security was not limited to national borders, and survival was defined in more vast manner. By the end of the Cold War, a positive approach was undertaken by the United States through emphasizing the democratic peace theory. The events of September 11 th , 2001, showed that new forms of challenges such as terrorism have replaced traditional threats to security. To manage the crises sprung out of new challenges, they needed a different kind of approach. This article will explain the security approaches which were applied by the United States during three periods; the Cold War, post-Cold War, and after the events of September 11 th .
Highlights
Since 1950, a variety of definitions for national security have been provided; For example, some scholars such as Buzan, Waever, and Wild referred to political, economic, societal, and environmental issues (1998) as security threats, while others such as Wheeler and Booth thought in terms of the reflective approach and referred to security as a process of emancipation (1992)
The traditional approach to security is rooted in a strategy of balance of power among great powers and national security was based on situational interpretation of the concept among the great powers
By the end of the Cold War, a positive approach was undertaken by the United States through emphasizing the democratic peace theory
Summary
Since 1950, a variety of definitions for national security have been provided; For example, some scholars such as Buzan, Waever, and Wild referred to political, economic, societal, and environmental issues (1998) as security threats, while others such as Wheeler and Booth thought in terms of the reflective approach and referred to security as a process of emancipation (1992). During the Cold war, super-powers defined their security based on the external enemy and their capability of threatening survival. During these periods, the USA and USSR, by generalizing the interpretation of their national interests to their spheres of influence, internationalized the concept. Positive interpretation dominated during the period between the end of the Cold War and the events of 9/11 During this era, great powers- especially the United States- paid more attention to their domestic issues, and promoting the welfare of citizens became the priority interest of the states to increase the security of the country. Security approaches applied by United States during three periods of the Cold War, post- Cold War, and after the events of September 11th are explained
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