Further information
Security and defence as function and attributes of the state
Educational goals:
- to explain the role of the state in creation of rational security and defence policy;
- to draw basic characteristics of a state in its function of security provider.
Contents:
Security and defence is one of the main state functions and criteria for state survival. State must guarantee security to its citizens and in the same time provide with functional mechanisms which would secure its existence in the anarchical environment of international relations. Security and defence of a state is implemented by building and maintaining of armed forces, which provide external and internal state security. The history of first states is then logically tied to the history of organized armies. Armed forces underwent complicated historical development from ancient times through Middle Ages, when they lacked firm organizational structure, commander’s powers, discipline and set of rules. The creation of modern national states meant then the building of armed forces and provision of state security gains new dimension and becomes part of society-wide issue.
List of tasks for students:
To study the following information sources.
References and further reading:
Presentation (lecture):
Security and defence as function and attributes of the state
Compulsory readings:
1. TAYLOR, Maxwell G. The Legitimate Claims of National Security. Foreign Affairs. [online]. 1974, Vol. 52. [cit. 2014-04-29]. Available from: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/24508/maxwell-d-taylor/the-legitimate-claims-of-national-security