The Evolution and Contested Nature of Security in International Relations: From Cold War Statism to Post-Cold War Interdependence

Abstract

This paper examines the theoretical evolution of the concept of security within International Relations (IR), tracing its shift from rigid Cold War paradigms to broader post-Cold War realities. It analyzes how classical definitions were strictly state-centric and military-focused, primarily driven by Realist and Neo-Realist theories. The author explores the "essentially contested" nature of security, arguing that its definitions are often biased toward specific academic theories. By integrating Arnold Wolfers' standard definition and Johan Galtung’s concepts of peace, the paper advocates for a neutral, comprehensive definition: "immunity from threats and threat perceptions". Finally, it outlines how modern forces—such as rapid globalization, the rise of non-Western powers, and power diffusion to non-state actors—have shifted the security focus from interstate military conflicts to complex, intrastate, and multi-dimensional threats.