New horses for new courses

Abstract

In the post-Cold War world, a number of new, non-state based security threats have emerged. As a consequence, classical, state-based international relations theories are no longer sufficient for the analysis of threat scenarios and the preservation of security. The proliferation of sub-state threats such as civil war, genocide and human rights abuses has further compounded the need for new approaches to the study of international relations, and also increased the need for students of international politics to pay attention not only to the states in the international system, but also the people inhabiting them. This article will argue the case for the human security doctrine, whereby the referent object of study is changed from states in the international system, to the individuals inhabiting them. It will demonstrate that such an approach serves to secure increased security not only for civilians, but also for states.