What traumatic event does Zitkala-Sa describe at the school?

The forcible cutting of her long hair

Why was the cutting of her hair so humiliating to Zitkala-Sa?

Among her people, shingled hair was worn by cowards and mourners

What is the difference between traditional and non-traditional security?

Traditional security concerns military threats to the state, while non-traditional security covers a wider range of threats to individuals and humankind, such as terrorism, poverty, migration and epidemics.

What choices does a state have when its security is threatened, in the traditional view?

To surrender, to deter attack by threatening unacceptable costs, or to defend itself by denying the attacker its objectives.

What is 'balance of power' and how is it achieved?

It is a state's effort to maintain a favourable position against stronger neighbours, achieved mainly by building up military, economic and technological power.

What are the objectives of military alliances?

To increase a state's effective power against a rival by coordinating actions to deter or defend against attack, usually formalised by treaty.

Distinguish between disarmament and arms control.

Disarmament requires states to give up certain weapons entirely, while arms control regulates the acquisition or development of weapons.

Is terrorism a traditional or non-traditional threat?

Terrorism is a non-traditional threat — political violence that deliberately targets civilians to coerce governments — though it has gained great attention since 11 September 2001.

What is meant by human security?

The protection of people, more than of states, from threats; in its broad form it covers freedom from want and freedom from fear, including hunger, disease and disaster.

Give examples of new sources of threat to security.

Terrorism, human-rights violations, global poverty, migration and refugee movements, and health epidemics such as HIV-AIDS and bird flu.

What are the four components of India's security strategy?

Strengthening military capabilities, building international norms and institutions, meeting internal security challenges, and developing the economy to reduce poverty and inequality.

Why is cooperation often better than force against non-traditional threats?

Because force cannot alleviate poverty, manage migration or control epidemics, and may worsen them; international cooperation is more effective for such global problems.

Security in the Contemporary World

Class 12 Political Science · Contemporary World Politics · Chapter 5

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CBSE Class 12 · Political Science

End of Bipolarity: asked in all 4 papers

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CBSE Class 12 · Political Science

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Summary

Security, at its most basic, means freedom from threats to 'core values', and only the most dangerous threats count. The chapter contrasts two views. Traditional (national) security is concerned with military threats to a country's sovereignty and territory from other states; governments respond through deterrence (preventing war), defence (limiting or ending it), balance of power, and alliance building. Traditional security also covers internal security and allows cooperation through disarmament (such as the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions), arms control (ABM, SALT, START, NPT) and confidence building. Non-traditional security broadens the focus from the state to the individual and to all humankind, giving rise to ideas of 'human security' and 'global security'. New sources of threat include terrorism, human-rights violations, global poverty, migration and refugees, and health epidemics like HIV-AIDS. These threats often require cooperation rather than military force. India's security strategy has four components: strengthening military capabilities, building international norms and institutions, addressing internal security challenges, and developing the economy to lift people out of poverty so that democracy itself provides greater security.

Key terms

Traditional security

The view that the main threat to a country comes from external military attack on its sovereignty and territory.

Deterrence

Preventing war by threatening to raise its costs to an unacceptable level.

Balance of power

A state's effort to build up its strength so that no neighbour or rival can dominate it.

Alliance

A coalition of states that coordinate actions to deter or defend against military attack.

Human security

A non-traditional view that focuses on protecting individuals and communities rather than only states.

Non-traditional security

A broad view of security covering threats like terrorism, poverty, migration, epidemics and environmental dangers.

Extra questions & answers

Try one from this chapter

In the traditional view, the greatest threat to a country's security comes from:

Flashcards & interactive practice