International Security Studies by Hough, Peter; Moran, Andrew; Pilbeam, Bruce;

Short description:

This textbook provides students with a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the subject of security studies, with a strong emphasis on the use of case studies. This 3rd edition has been revised and updated for recent developments, with new material on the Ukraine War, China and the covid pandemic.

Long description:

Fully revised to incorporate recent developments, this third edition of International Security Studies provides students with a comprehensive and accessible textbook on security with a particular emphasis on the use of case studies to illustrate theoretical debates.

In addition to presenting the major theoretical perspectives, the book examines a range of important and controversial topics in covering both traditional military and non-military security issues such as nuclear proliferation, humanitarian intervention, food security and environmental security. Unlike most standard textbooks, the volume also offers a wide range of case studies – including chapters on the US, China, the Middle East, Russia, East Africa and the Arctic – providing detailed analyses of important global security issues and the application of theoretical debates to major contemporary issues.

The 36 chapters contain pedagogical features such as textboxes, summary points and recommended further reading, and are divided into five thematic sections:

• Conceptual and theoretical


• Military security


• Non-military security


• Institutions and security


• Case studies

This textbook will be essential reading for all students of security studies and highly recommended for students of critical security studies, human security, peace and conflict studies, foreign policy and International Relations in general.

Praise for the 1st edition:

'Viewed in the larger social context security embraces every dimension of human life, yet we persist in defining it according to our own narrow preoccupations. The authors of this book have done a signal service in bringing together in one volume so many diverse viewpoints. In doing so, they have added significantly to our understanding of war and peace.' 

Christopher Coker, London School of Economics, UK

'It has been commonly accepted for many years now that security is an essentially contested concept, and analysts have sought to find ways of expressing the full meaning of that realisation in forms that students can comfortably digest. There have been a number of such attempts. This volume achieves that end incredibly well. It does so through a comprehensiveness of approach and a subtlety of interpretation that will no doubt benefit successive cohorts of those studying this elusive concept.' 

Stuart Croft, University of Warwick, UK

'An excellent teaching resource, written with students in mind, accessible, expansive in scope and yet detailed with a wide range of relevant case studies. An indispensable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students. If you only buy one book on security this has to be it.' 

Lee Marsden, University of East Anglia, UK

'This collection of original essays succeeds brilliantly in its three central aims: to map the intellectual currents within the discipline of International Security Studies; to survey the contemporary international security environment; and to consider key cases. The book combines breadth with depth, enabling students to understand vital aspects of international politics. Recommended without reservation.’ 

John Dumbrell, Durham University, UK

'International Security Studies is an essential introductory text for students. It frames the core intellectual debates that have defined the discipline by giving readers an accessible grounding in a broad range of contending understandings of security from realism to post-colonialism. It provides a compelling overview of the contemporary security environment and explores a comprehensive listing of key topics from nuclear proliferation to natural disasters. Moreover, it offers detailed regional and thematic case studies as a means of demonstrating how the theoretical and conceptual insights of security studies can be applied to better understand the security dynamics that are critical to world politics. The variety of cases on offer will capture the imaginations of students from those interested in the security challenges emerging in the aftermath of the Arab Spring to those yearning to learn more about the militarization of outer-space.  In sum, International Security Studies offers an excellent mix of theoretical and empirical material that delivers a comprehensive and sophisticated, yet student-friendly, overview of contemporary security studies.' 

Kyle Grayson, Newcastle University, UK

'This is an ambitious and successful book – which is good because it is also a necessary book. The authors present an exhaustive look at security with chapters on theoretical approaches, to chapters on old and new topics in security (such as the intersections of security with religion, the environment, and crime and security among others), to chapters on country case studies. This book will become the standard for security studies courses for its breadth, writing and consistency.' 

Laura Neack, Miami University, USA

Table of Contents:

SECTION I: Conceptual and Theoretical  1 Framing a Discipline  2 The Traditional Routes to Security: Realism and Liberalism  3 Challenging Orthodoxy: Critical Security Studies  4 Feminist Security Studies  5 Human Security  6 Constructing Security  SECTION II: Military Security   7   Reflecting on War and Peace  8   New Wars, Globalisation and Failed States  9   Nuclear Proliferation  10 The International Arms Trade in Conventional Weapons  11 Terrorism  12 Religion and International Conflict  13 Intelligence and Security  14 The Rise of Private Military and Security Companies  SECTION III: Non-military Security  15 Environmental Security  16 Crime and Security  17 The Securitization of the LGBTQ+ Community  18 Food Security  19 Pandemics and Security  20 Disasters and Security  21 Migration and Security  22 Cybersecurity  SECTION IV: Institutions and Security  23 The United Nations and Collective Security  24 NATO and Security Alliance Theory  25 Regional Security Organisations  SECTION V: Case Studies   26 The United States: Seeking Security in an Age of Upheaval  27 Russia, the Black Sea Region and Security after the Invasion of Ukraine  28 China and Comprehensive Security  29 Security in Europe: The Triumph of Institution-Building?  30 The Horn of Africa and Great Power Rivalry  31 The Arctic  32 The Middle East and Security  33 Korea  34 Security Perspectives on Latin America  35 Space and Security  36 Conclusion: Where to Next?