Elements of Security

Catalog description

This lecture course is an introduction to the systematic study of international security, asking and critically analyzing a series of big puzzles in the field. Why do arms races and wars repeatedly occur, and why is there no world government to resolve these disputes? Why did territorial conquest decline after 1945, and will that trend continue throughout the twenty-first century? Why do so many modern wars seem like they have no end in sight? What motivates security competition among major powers, such as the United States, Russia, and China, today? Students will learn about the security dilemma, causes of war, nuclear deterrence, alliances, covert action, just war theory, asymmetric warfare, and emerging weapons technologies, among other topics.