Security: Dialogue across Disciplines

Security is a vital subject of study in the twenty-first century and a central theme in many social science disciplines. This volume provides a comparative analysis of the ways in which the concept of security is theorized and studied across different disciplines. The book has two objectives: first, to explore the growing diversity of theories, paradigms, and methods developed to study security; and, second, to initiate a multidisciplinary dialogue about the ontological, epistemological, paradigmatic, and normative aspects of security studies in social sciences. Readers across nine fields are invited to reflect on their conceptualizations of security and to consider how an interdisciplinary dialogue can stimulate and enrich the understanding of security in our contemporary world. Analytically sharp yet easy to read, this is a cutting-edge volume exploring what security is and what it means in today's world.

Table of Contents:
1. A multidisciplinary dialogue on security Philippe Bourbeau; 2. Philosophy: the concepts of security, fear, liberty, and the state Jonathan Herington; 3. Anthropology/ies: moving beyond disciplinary approaches to security Daniel M. Goldstein; 4. Geography: securing places and spaces of securitization Philippe Le Billon; 5. Sociology: security and insecurities Lisa Stampnitzky and Greggor Mattson; 6. International relations: celebrating eclectic dynamism in security studies Philippe Bourbeau, Thierry Balzacq and Myriam Dunn Cavelty; 7. Psychology: the phenomenology of human security Thomas C. O'Brien and Linda R. Tropp; 8. International political economy: conceptual affinities and substantive differences with security studies Ronen Palan and Hannah Petersen; 9. Criminology: reimagining security Jan Froestad, Clifford Shearing and Melani Van der Merwe; 10. International law: between legalism and securitization Wouter Werner.

About the Author :
Philippe Bourbeau is Temporary University Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge.

Review :
'The excellent essays in this timely volume offer many key contributions to the emerging discussion of interdisciplinary security studies. By drawing on a wide diversity of current scholarly perspectives, the numerous valuable insights in these chapters move the conversation on this essential political concept ahead rapidly.' Simon Dalby, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario 'The ubiquity of 'security' in public debates and throughout the social sciences makes this volume timely and essential reading for anyone wanting to look beyond narrow or conventional scholarly horizons. It is a unique and outstanding effort to communicate across disciplines.' Keith Krause, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva 'This volume's common core questions addressed from each perspective provide just the right touch of thematic unity so the contributors are not simply talking past one another, but rather provide productive points of comparison that will be of great use for scholars and graduate students alike as a reference and also jumping off point for their own research. A fresh and timely contribution to help us all think in a sophisticated way through the flux of contemporary global security.' Richard Price, University of British Columbia 'Bourbeau assembles an impressive array of distinguished contributors from around the world. Together, they illustrate the remarkable breadth of disciplines investigating security, including philosophy, anthropology, geography, sociology, international relations, psychology, international political economy, criminology, and international law, among others. The work should prove useful for students and scholars of security across these disciplines.' W. A. Taylor, Choice