Traditional Security and Cooperation| Class 12 Political Science Notes

Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 5 Traditional Security and Cooperation discusses that traditional security and cooperation is a concept that focuses on the use of military force to achieve security. It is based on the idea that the state is the main actor in international relations and that the primary threat to security is military aggression from another state. Traditional security measures include disarmament, arms control, and confidence building.

In this article, we will look into the topic ‘Traditional Security and Cooperation’ in detail. It is an important concept in Class 12 Political Science. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on the topic Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5 Traditional Security and Cooperation.

What is Traditional Security?

Traditional security is a concept that focuses on the ability of a state to defend itself against external threats. It is often referred to as national security or state security. Traditional security is based on the idea that the state is the primary actor in international relations and that the main threat to security is military aggression from other states.

The concept of traditional security emerged in the 17th century with the rise of the nation-state system. At that time, the primary concern of states was to protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity from external threats. To achieve this, states built up their militaries and formed alliances with other states. The concept of traditional security has been challenged in recent years by the emergence of new threats, such as terrorism, climate change, and pandemics. These threats are not confined to state borders and cannot be addressed by military means alone. As a result, there has been a shift towards a more holistic approach to security that includes non-military measures, such as cooperation and diplomacy.

Despite the challenges it faces, traditional security remains an important concept in international relations. States continue to rely on their militaries to defend themselves against external threats. However, they are also increasingly recognizing the need to cooperate with other states to address common security challenges.

Traditional Security and Cooperation

Traditional security views acknowledge cooperation in limiting violence, focusing on self-defense and protecting others from genocide. War should be limited in terms of the means used, avoiding killing or hurting noncombatants and unarmed combatants. Force should only be used after all alternatives have failed. Other forms of cooperation include disarmament, arms control, and confidence building. Disarmament requires states to give up certain weapons, such as the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention and 1992 Chemical Weapons Convention. However, the US and Soviet Union pursued arms control to prevent the use of nuclear weapons. Arms control regulates the acquisition or development of weapons, such as the Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty in 1972, which limited the use of ballistic missiles as a defensive shield for nuclear attacks.

US-Soviet Arms Control Treaties

The US and Soviet Union signed several arms control treaties, including the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty II and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 regulated the acquisition of nuclear weapons, allowing countries that had tested and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 to keep them while those that had not limited their acquisition rights. Confidence building is a process in traditional security where countries share ideas and information with their rivals, demonstrating they are not planning a surprise attack. In traditional security, force is both the principal threat to security and the principal means of achieving security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Traditional security is the idea that the main focus of security is the state, and that threats to the state’s essential values, territorial integrity, and political sovereignty are the most important security concerns. Traditional security includes means such as weapons, military systems, and alliances between states for security purposes. Cooperation in limiting violence is an important part of traditional security. This includes confidence building measures, where nations exchange military concepts and intelligence with their adversaries to demonstrate that they are not plotting an ambush. It also includes disarmament, arms control, and confidence-building measures.

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Traditional Security and Cooperation- FAQs

What is the focus of Chapter 5 of Class 12 Political Science?

The chapter explores both traditional security approaches and cooperative security mechanisms.

What are traditional security approaches?

Traditional security focuses on military deterrence, alliances, and defense strategies to address external and internal threats.

How do traditional security approaches differ from cooperative security?

Traditional security emphasizes national defense and sovereignty, while cooperative security promotes collaboration and shared responsibility among states.

What role do military forces play in traditional security?

Military forces serve as the primary means of defense against external aggression in traditional security approaches.

What are examples of cooperative security mechanisms?

Examples include international organizations like the United Nations, regional security arrangements, and diplomatic initiatives aimed at preventing conflicts.

Why is a combination of traditional security and cooperation important?

Combining traditional security measures with cooperative approaches allows states to address a wide range of security challenges effectively.

How do traditional security and cooperation complement each other?

While traditional security ensures national defense, cooperation promotes trust, dialogue, and collective action, promoting peace and stability globally.

What are some examples of traditional security threats?

Traditional security threats include military aggression, interstate conflicts, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation.

How do states traditionally address external security threats?

States use military deterrence, alliances, and defense strategies to address external threats to their sovereignty and territorial integrity.