Security in the Contemporary World
Class 12 Political Science Chapter 7 Notes
Here, we provide notes for the first chapter of Class 12 Political Science, “Security in the Contemporary World.” This chapter examines key features of security in the contemporary world.
These notes will be useful for students preparing for this year’s board exams. Prepared in simple and organized language, this material will help them quickly revise the chapter and remember key points.
Meaning of Security
Security means protecting mankind from the dangers of war and conflicts so that mankind can live peacefully and the spirit of cooperation can be promoted in the world.
Types of Security
traditional security
- In traditional security, a country may face the threat of external aggression from another country, which can be defended through the use of military force.
- Countries can threaten core values such as sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity by threatening military aggression.
- External threats to traditional security include military aggression, genocide, power imbalances, alliances, and armaments.
- Internal threats to a country in traditional security include law and order, separatism, and civil war.
- These threats in the traditional sense can be eliminated through disarmament, arms control, and trust.
- Traditional security policy is concerned with preventing warlike aspirations.
- The above threats to the traditional sense can be seen in newly independent countries in Asia and Africa.
unconventional security (concept)
- The non-traditional concept includes military threats as well as new threats emerging globally, primarily threats such as civil war.
- The non-traditional concept of security encompasses widespread threats to human existence, such as hunger, famine, poverty, global warming, and terrorism.
- The major threats to global security under the non-traditional concept of security include terrorism, human rights, global poverty, refugee problems, and diseases (AIDS, bird flu, SARS, and COVID-19).
cooperative security
- To combat the non-traditional threats looming large in the world, emphasis is placed on cooperation and improving political relations rather than military power.
- In addition to mutual relations, cooperation, and agreements between countries, NGOs also contribute significantly to this security. Organizations such as Amnesty International, the Red Cross, and the World Bank also contribute significantly.
- Individuals can also contribute to cooperative security, such as the work done by Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa.
India and security
- India faces a variety of threats that it must deal with, including conventional as well as unconventional threats.
- India-Pakistan Wars (1948, 1965, 1971, 1999).
- India-China War (1962).
- Nuclear weapons in neighboring countries.
- Terrorism from Pakistan.
- Naxalism and religious riots also pose a threat to India’s internal security.
- Natural disasters that occur from time to time also pose a threat to India’s security.
- India is also threatened by pandemics like COVID-19.
Principles of India's security policy
- Strengthening military capabilities.
- Opposing colonialism and imperialism.
- Enforcing disarmament.
- Implementing a new international order.
- Emphasizing cooperative security.
- Strengthening the position of international institutions and laws.
- Resolving the country’s internal problems in a timely manner.
- Strengthening the democratic political system.
- Accelerating economic development.
- Maintaining the policy of non-alignment as an option and avoiding any political factionalism in the world.
power balance
- Balance of power is a national security principle that implies a sufficient amount of appropriate and valid resources for a country’s security and protection. This means that a country has sufficient resources, such as military forces, defensive equipment, national industries, etc., for its security and defense.
- Balance of power is an essential principle because, without it, a country can face crises and its sovereignty, security, and national interests can be threatened.
A country needs a balance of power for several reasons.
(i) It provides protection against external attacks and crises. A powerful nation reduces interference in other countries’ external plans and attacks.
(ii) A balance of power provides protection against internal conflicts and disasters.
There are several reasons why a country may desire to maintain a balance of power, such as:
(i) It helps ensure its autonomy, defense, and security.
(ii) A powerful country reduces dependence on other powers to protect its interests and promotes independence.
(iii) Balance of power strengthens a country’s economy and industry and helps it play a significant role on the global stage.
Thus, balance of power is extremely important for a country, and a powerful country strives to maintain it.