Question 6 of 11intermediate💡 UnderstandShort Answer4 marks

What are the choices available to a state when its security is threatened, according to the traditional security perspective?

Correct Answer

According to the traditional security perspective, when a state's security is threatened, it has primarily two choices regarding the use of force.

First, the state may choose to surrender before the threatening force when it perceives that it lacks the capability to resist effectively. This option is chosen to avoid the destruction and loss of life that military conflict would bring.

Second, the state may choose to resist the threat by using military force. In traditional security, force is considered both the principal threat to security and the principal means of achieving security. The state may also use the threat of use of force as a deterrent strategy.

Additionally, traditional security accepts confidence building as a means of avoiding violence. This involves sharing ideas and information with rivals, telling them about military intentions and plans to demonstrate that no surprise attack is being planned. This process ensures that rivals do not go to war through misunderstanding or misperception.

States may also form military alliances to enhance their security against external threats.

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 6 | (Page 17)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The textbook context explains that traditional security is principally concerned with the use or threat of use of military force. It establishes that force is both the principal threat and the principal means of achieving security. The context also discusses confidence building as a process where countries share information with rivals to avoid war through misunderstanding. While the context mentions military alliances in the questions section, it establishes the framework of traditional security as being centered on military threats from other countries that endanger sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify that traditional security is concerned with military force as both threat and solution

  2. Step 2: Explain the choice of surrender when a state cannot effectively resist

  3. Step 3: Explain the choice of resistance through military force or threat of force

  4. Step 4: Discuss confidence building as a means to avoid violence through information sharing

  5. Step 5: Mention military alliances as a strategy for collective security

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