Security in the Contemporary World 12 Political Science Chapter 5 CBSE Notes 2025-26

The concept of security is a central issue in world politics, often discussed in terms of ‘national security’, yet it concerns the well-being and freedom from threats for every individual and the country as a whole. Security is not just about military concerns; it includes protection from extremely dangerous threats that can damage the core values and existence of nations or people. The understanding of security evolves with changing times and varies from society to society. Determining what counts as a security threat depends on whose values are being threatened and how severe the threat is.

Traditional Notions of Security – External Dimension

Traditional security focuses mainly on military threats that endanger a country’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The main concern is typically from other countries. When faced with the threat of war, states usually have three choices:

• Surrendering to the aggressor
• Deterrence – raising the costs of war to an unacceptable level so that the opponent does not attack
• Defending itself when attacked to prevent the enemy from achieving its goals

Other major components of traditional security include maintaining a balance of power among states and building alliances. Countries try to match or surpass the capabilities of potential rivals or work in coalitions (alliances) formalised by treaties to deter or defend against attacks. The traditional approach usually sees threats as coming from external forces, and relies on military, economic, and technological strength.

Traditional Notions of Security – Internal Concerns

For security to be complete, internal peace and order are also crucial. Internal security deals with threats such as civil wars, separatist movements, and violence that occur within a country’s own borders. In many newly-independent countries, both external and internal security have been major challenges. Today, more than 95% of armed conflicts worldwide are internal wars.

Cooperation in Traditional Security

Even within traditional security, cooperation to limit violence is seen as important. Three major approaches are:

• Disarmament: All countries give up certain types of dangerous weapons, like biological or chemical arms.
• Arms Control: Agreements to regulate the development and possession of weapons (like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – NPT).
• Confidence Building Measures (CBMs): Steps like regularly exchanging information about military plans to create trust among countries and prevent misunderstandings.

Non-Traditional Notions of Security

Non-traditional security shifts focus beyond just the state and the military to also consider the safety and dignity of individuals, societies, and the whole world. Security is seen for not only nations but also for people and communities. Non-traditional threats include:

• Human security: Emphasising the protection of people rather than just state borders.
• Global security: Addressing dangers like climate change, terrorism, and health epidemics that cross national borders and can affect everyone.
• Issues like poverty, hunger, disease, natural disasters, and threats to human dignity are part of broader security concerns.

This approach recognises that international cooperation is needed for addressing many new kinds of threats such as environmental degradation and global pandemics, which cannot be managed by a single country acting alone.

New Sources of Threats

• Terrorism: Use of violence by individuals or groups to achieve political aims, often by spreading fear among ordinary people and sometimes crossing borders.
• Human rights violations: When states or groups deny people their political, economic, or cultural rights, sometimes drawing international attention or intervention.
• Global poverty: Persistent poverty in some regions increases social tension, mass migration, and insecurity.
• Migration and refugee issues: Wars and conflicts force people to move or flee their country, leading to humanitarian crises and tensions in host areas.
• Health epidemics: Rapidly spreading diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, or COVID-19) can become global security matters because they threaten the well-being and economies of many societies.

Not every problem is considered a security issue. It becomes a security concern only if it threatens the very existence or core values of a state or a community.

Cooperative Security Approaches

Solving many non-traditional threats needs cooperation among countries. Strategies include forming international agreements, working with global institutions like the United Nations or World Health Organization, and involving non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social groups. While military action can sometimes help (for example, in fighting terrorism), peaceful cooperation and support from the international community are more often effective. Military force should always be the last resort and ideally used with collective international approval.

India’s Security Strategy

• Strengthening military capabilities: India has faced wars with neighbours like Pakistan (1947–48, 1965, 1971, 1999) and China (1962). Surrounded by nuclear-armed countries, India conducted nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998 to strengthen its defence.
• Strengthening international norms and institutions: India supports collective actions against issues like colonialism, supports peacekeeping, disarmament, and climate agreements like the Kyoto Protocol. India is active in the United Nations and believes in non-alignment and global cooperation.
• Meeting internal security challenges: India has addressed insurgencies and separatist movements in regions like Nagaland, Mizoram, Punjab, and Kashmir by encouraging democracy and sharing political power so that grievances can be expressed and resolved peacefully.
• Economic development for security: India believes that reducing poverty, inequality, and improving human development are as important as military security. An inclusive democracy helps ensure that even the poorest can push for greater security and well-being.

Real-Life Understanding and Classroom Activity

A practical understanding of security can be drawn from activities like the "Four Villages and Security" story, where villages (representing nations) have rivalries and competition for resources, leading to conflict. Through negotiations and cooperation, just as countries attempt in real life with treaties and agreements, peace and stability can be restored. The activity highlights that security challenges include issues related to territory, resources, and internal disputes, and effective solutions often require communication, understanding, and compromises.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5 Notes – Security in the Contemporary World: Key Points for Quick Revision

These Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5 notes give you a complete overview of Security in the Contemporary World, covering traditional and non-traditional threats, India's strategies, and real-world examples. The content is structured for quick revision and concise understanding. Strengthen your exam preparation with all important CBSE points at your fingertips.

By using these easy-to-read revision notes, you can clarify key concepts like internal vs. external security and cooperative solutions. They help you recall facts, definitions, and examples, boosting your confidence before exams and improving retention for long-term success.