Security Dilemma: Examining Its Impact on International Politics - Essay Sample

Introduction

In the political science context, security dilemma infers to the circumstances where actions taken by a particular nation with the aim of increasing its security result to a decrease instead of an increase in the country's original state of security. Currently, the security dilemma is an aspect which runs through most parts of international politics. This can be attributed to the always changing political nature of countries and hence a change in the dynamics of security. The concept of security dilemma is debatably the cornerstone of defensive realism, since according to defensive realists, security dilemma is a vital aspect that leads to the genuine cooperation among countries (Mearsheimer 36). However, to the offensive realist's security dilemma makes war rational and unavoidable (Waltz 26). This paper seeks to give deeper insights on the reasons why security dilemma is an aspect which facilitates most aspects of international politics.

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Most research works propose that security dilemma is a major contributor to the conflict to the majority of the states worldwide (Thakur 8). Therefore, this depicts that in the international domain, there is no specific, legitimate source of conflict and therefore each country is obligated to ensure that it is in a secure condition. However, this tends to be difficult as indicated by conditions which showcase security dilemma. This is evidenced by the ways in which countries retaliate to the challenge of security enforcement in their country.

In most cases, the primary goal of a country is to maximize their security. Therefore, they always put up actions that will ensure that the state is secure. This process usually entails a series of actions which includes procuring of weaponry and the advancement of newer military technology. This generally results to decrease in the security of other states. However, reducing the security of other nations does not directly lead to a security dilemma, instead, a nation will follow suit and put-up maximum-security measures as well. They can either choose to advance their military abilities to ensure a balance in power or they can also set preventive measures that will ensure that another state does not interfere with their balance of power in the first place. If they retaliate by enhancing their military capabilities, nations may increasingly arm themselves and this may result in war in the long run.

If the security dilemma framework is well- understood, it brings about the realization that it constitutes a powerful model of war and peace through interactions. It captures the typical dynamics which lead to the outbreak of war and the retention of peace; which is by alleviating or reversing the security dilemma (Mearsheimer 41). The impact of the security dilemma theory therefore goes beyond scheme. The security dilemma concept has been recognized for explaining major events in history. These events include the causes and the end of the cold war, the First World War and the fights in the former republics of the Soviet Union (Copeland 26). Moreover, the security dilemma concept has been used in the prescription of required policies for solving some of the most pressing issues of international politics, such as management of arms, racial issues and scheming a lasting solution to ethnic conflicts.

Works Cited

Copeland, Dale C. The origins of major war. Cornell University Press, 2001. Pp 26

Mearsheimer, John J. The tragedy of great power politics. WW Norton & Company, 2001. 35-60

Thakur, Ramesh. The United Nations, peace and security: from collective security to the responsibility to protect. Cambridge University Press, 2016. Pp. 8

Waltz, Kenneth N. Theory of international politics. Waveland Press, 2010. Pp 5-81