This thoroughly updated edition of Global Security in the Twenty-First Century offers a balanced introduction to contemporary security dilemmas throughout the world. Sean Kay assesses the impact of the global economic crisis on international security and considers how the range of thinking about power and peace has evolved in relation to major flashpoints including in the Middle East, Asia, and Eurasia. Kay builds on the first and second edition’s emphasis on the roles of trade and technology, the militarization of space, the privatization of security, the use of sanctions, ethnic conflict, and transnational crime. This edition goes even farther to incorporate traditional thinking about national security in the context of human rights, democracy, population, health, environment, energy, and especially education. The author includes full updates on emerging challenges out of Iraq, Russia, and viral diseases in the context of larger strategic questions like the rise of China and America’s “pivot” to rebalance its priorities toward Asia. Writing in an engaging style, Kay integrates traditional and emerging challenges in one easily accessible study that gives readers the tools they need to develop a thoughtful and nuanced understanding of global security.

Table of Contents:
Contents Preface 1. Dynamics of Global Security Globalization of Security The New Distribution of Power The Nation-State Soft Power Asymmetric Power The Power of Nature Overview of the Book Suggested Reading 2. The Quest for Power The Traditions of Realism The Security Dilemma and Incentives for War Misperception, Coercion, and Credibility Offensive Realism The Realist Path to Security Deterrence Alliances and Concerts Hegemonic Stability and Offshore Balancing Realism Revised Global Security Primacy and the New Balancing Alliances, Dissuasion, and Strategic Partnerships Asymmetric Threats, Ethnic Conflict, and Identity Realism Clash of Civilizations Economic Realism Realists as Optimists Summary Suggested Reading 3. The Search for Peace Liberalism Neoliberal Institutionalism Cooperative Security Peace through Commerce Democratic Peace and Security Communities Emerging Security Paradigms Constructivism Transnational Civil Society Pacifism and Peace Movements Postmodernism Feminism and Gender Revolutionary Approaches Summary Suggested Reading 4. Great Powers and Grand Strategy The United States Russia China The European Union Summary Suggested Reading 5. Regional Flash Points India and Pakistan The Balance of Power and Nuclear Weapons Limited Deterrence Nuclear Dangers The Korean Peninsula The North Korean Threat The Nuclear Environment Averting Conflict—or a Nuclear Chain Reaction? Taiwan One China or Two? Unconventional War and Strategic Consequences Taiwan’s Security Dilemma Interdependence and the Case against War The Persian Gulf and the Middle East American Primacy and the Iraq Conundrum Iran, Israel, and the Geopolitical Balance The Saudi Question An Uncertain Future Eurasia Russian Hegemony and Balancing Great Power Alignments Beyond the Status Quo Summary Suggested Reading 6. Technology and the Business of Security Revolution in Military Affairs The Limits of Technology in War From Science Fiction to Modern War The Dilemma of Advanced Technology Information and Security Information Power Knowledge and Power The Military Use of Space Spacepower Space Dominance The Space Race Strategic Dilemmas in Space: Missile Defense and Antisatellite Weapons The Business of Security The A. Q. Khan Nuclear Shopping Center Security Privatization Private Security Companies Outsourcing War The New Agenda Setters Sanctioning Security The Sanctions Dilemma Are Sanctions Better Than Nothing? Summary Suggested Reading 7. Asymmetric Conflict Strategy and Tactics of Asymmetric Conflict Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing The Balkans Rwanda Never Again? Terrorism and Insurgency The Meaning and Use of Terror The Evolution of Modern Terrorism Al Qaeda The Globalization of Terror Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction Defensive Dilemmas Summary Suggested Reading 8. Human Security What is Human Security? Human Rights and Democracy Contemporary Challenges to Human Rights Degrees of Democracy Population and Demographic Change Population Trends and Demographic Developments Migration and Refugees Food and Health The Human Costs of War The Impact of War on Individuals The Social Effects of War The Impact of War on the Environment Summary Suggested Reading 9. The Environment and Energy Security What is Environmental Security? The Environment as a Source of Conflict An Evolving Environmental Security Paradigm Beyond Environmental Security Conceptualizing Energy Security Security Energy Resources and Flows Economic Development and Energy Security Environmental Dangers Climate Change Deforestation and Land Use Water Security Energy Scarcity and Safety Nuclear Energy Summary Suggested Reading 10. Meeting the Challenges of Power and Peace Applying Global Security Concepts The Quest for Power The Search for Peace From Theory to Practice: Education and Global Security Education and Global Security Education and National Power Education in Peace and Conflict What Can You Do? Conclusion Suggested Reading