NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 – Security in the Contemporary World

NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 explains the concept of security in international relations and how the meaning of security has evolved over time. Students should refer to the official NCERT website for authentic textbooks and syllabus updates. In NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7, students learn how countries try to protect their sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests in a rapidly changing global environment.

NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 first discusses the traditional understanding of security, which focused mainly on military threats and protection from external attacks by other states. During the Cold War period (1945–1991), countries relied on military alliances, deterrence and defence capabilities to maintain security. The chapter also explains internal security threats, including civil conflicts, insurgencies and political instability that may threaten the stability of a state.

Another major theme in NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 is the emergence of non-traditional security threats in the modern world. These include issues such as terrorism, environmental degradation, infectious diseases, economic insecurity and transnational crime. The chapter highlights the importance of cooperative security, where countries work together through international institutions and diplomatic cooperation to address common security challenges. It also examines India’s security strategy, which combines military preparedness, diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation.

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1. Overview

• The concept of security is central to international politics, because countries constantly try to protect their sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.
• During the Cold War period (1945–1991), security was mainly understood in military terms, focusing on defence against external military threats from other states.
• Traditionally, countries tried to ensure security by building strong military capabilities, forming alliances and maintaining deterrence against potential enemies.
• Over time, scholars and policymakers began to realise that security threats are not limited to military attacks, and that many non-military factors also threaten national and global security.
• These newer threats include issues such as terrorism, environmental degradation, pandemics, economic instability and transnational crime.
• As a result, the concept of security has expanded to include both traditional security (military threats) and non-traditional security (social, economic and environmental threats).
• Countries increasingly recognise the importance of cooperation among states and international organisations to address complex global security challenges.
• The chapter examines the different meanings of security, traditional and non-traditional threats, and the strategies adopted by countries—especially India—to ensure national security.

2. What is security?

• Security in international politics means protection of a country’s core values, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and national interests.
• Traditionally, security was understood mainly as protection from military threats or attacks by other states, especially during the Cold War period (1945–1991).
• However, scholars later argued that security should also include protection of people’s lives, well-being and economic stability, not just the defence of the state.
• Therefore, the concept of security now includes both state security (protection of the country) and human security (protection of individuals and communities).

3. Traditional notions: external

• In traditional thinking, external security refers to protection of a country from military threats or invasion by other states.
• States attempt to maintain external security by building strong armed forces, developing military technology and maintaining defence preparedness.
• Countries also form military alliances and strategic partnerships to strengthen their security against potential enemies.
• The idea of deterrence is important in traditional security, meaning that a country maintains strong military power to discourage adversaries from attacking.

4. Traditional notions: internal

• Internal security refers to the protection of a country from internal threats such as civil wars, political instability, insurgencies and separatist movements.
• Governments maintain internal security through law enforcement agencies, police forces and intelligence services.
• Internal threats may arise due to ethnic conflicts, political disputes, economic inequality or ideological movements.
• Maintaining internal stability is essential because internal conflicts can weaken the state and threaten national unity and governance.

5. Traditional security and cooperation

• Although security traditionally emphasised military strength and competition, countries have also recognised the importance of cooperation to reduce conflicts.
• States sometimes sign arms control agreements and security treaties to limit the development of dangerous weapons and reduce the risk of war.
• Examples include international agreements to control nuclear weapons and reduce arms races during and after the Cold War.
• Such cooperation helps build trust among countries and maintain international peace and stability.

6. Non-traditional notions of security

• In recent decades, the concept of security has expanded beyond military threats to include economic, environmental and social challenges that affect human survival and well-being.
• These non-traditional security threats include issues such as poverty, hunger, diseases, environmental degradation, climate change, terrorism and natural disasters.
• Such threats often do not originate from military actions by states, but they can still cause large-scale human suffering and instability.
• Non-traditional security emphasises the idea of human security, which focuses on protecting individuals and communities rather than only protecting the state.
• The concept of human security gained global attention in the 1990s, especially after the end of the Cold War in 1991, when new types of security threats became more visible.
• These threats are often transnational in nature, meaning they cross national borders and affect many countries simultaneously.
• Addressing non-traditional threats usually requires international cooperation among countries, international organisations and civil society groups.
• As a result, modern security studies consider both traditional military threats and non-traditional human security threats as important aspects of global security.

7. New sources of threats

• In the contemporary world, security threats are no longer limited to military attacks between states, and many new non-traditional threats have emerged that affect the safety and well-being of people across countries.
• One major threat is international terrorism, where non-state groups use violence to create fear and achieve political objectives, as seen in the 11 September 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks in the United States carried out by the organisation Al-Qaeda.
• Another important threat is the spread of infectious diseases, which can cause large-scale health crises and economic disruption, such as HIV/AIDS and other global epidemics affecting millions of people.
• Environmental degradation and climate change have become serious security threats, as problems such as global warming, deforestation, pollution and natural disasters can damage ecosystems and threaten human survival.
• Economic insecurity and poverty also create security challenges because lack of employment, unequal development and economic crises can lead to social unrest, migration and political instability.
• Refugee movements and illegal migration occur when people are forced to leave their homes due to wars, environmental disasters or economic hardship, creating humanitarian crises and tensions between countries.
• Transnational organised crime has become another major threat, including activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling and human trafficking, which operate across national borders.
• These new threats are often global in nature and cannot be controlled by a single country alone, therefore they require international cooperation, collective action and coordinated policies among states and international organisations.

8. Cooperative security

• Cooperative security means that countries work together to address security threats, instead of relying only on military power or confrontation.
• The idea became more important after the end of the Cold War in 1991, when many global threats such as terrorism, environmental problems and pandemics required collective international action.
• Cooperative security involves international agreements, diplomatic dialogue and collaboration through international organisations such as the United Nations (UN).
• Countries cooperate through peacekeeping operations, arms control treaties and conflict resolution mechanisms to maintain international peace and stability.
• The approach recognises that many modern security threats are transnational, meaning they cross national borders and affect many countries simultaneously.
• Examples include global cooperation against terrorism, climate change agreements and international efforts to control nuclear weapons.
• Cooperative security encourages trust-building measures and diplomatic engagement among countries, reducing the chances of conflict.
• Therefore, cooperative security promotes shared responsibility among states to ensure global peace and human security.

9. India’s security strategy

• India’s security strategy focuses on protecting national sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal stability, while addressing both traditional and non-traditional security threats.
• India maintains a strong military capability, including modern armed forces and nuclear deterrence, especially after conducting nuclear tests in 1998.
• India also emphasises strengthening its internal security, dealing with issues such as insurgency, terrorism and regional conflicts within the country.
• The country promotes regional stability and diplomatic engagement with neighbouring states to reduce security tensions in South Asia.
• India actively participates in international organisations such as the United Nations, contributing to peacekeeping missions and global security initiatives.
• The government also recognises non-traditional security threats, including environmental problems, economic challenges and public health crises.
• India’s strategy combines military preparedness, diplomatic cooperation and economic development to ensure comprehensive national security.
• Overall, India aims to balance defence strength with international cooperation to maintain peace, stability and development.

NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 provides a comprehensive understanding of the changing nature of security in global politics. Studying NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 helps students understand the difference between traditional military security and non-traditional security challenges such as terrorism, environmental threats and global health crises.

A detailed study of NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 also highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex global threats. The chapter demonstrates how countries increasingly rely on cooperative security mechanisms and international institutions to manage security challenges in the modern world. Understanding NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 is important for CBSE board exams and competitive exams such as UPSC and BPSC, where questions related to national security, terrorism and global security issues are frequently asked.

Continue reading NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 8 – Environment and Natural Resources to understand how environmental issues, global commons and natural resources influence international politics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 about?
NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 explains the concept of security in international politics, including traditional military threats and modern non-traditional security challenges.

Q2. Why is NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 important for exams?
NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 is important because topics such as national security, terrorism, cooperative security and India’s security strategy are frequently asked in CBSE board exams and competitive exams like UPSC and BPSC.

Q3. What are traditional security threats in NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7?
In NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7, traditional security threats mainly refer to military threats from other states and external attacks that threaten a country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Q4. What are non-traditional security threats discussed in NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7?
NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 explains non-traditional threats such as terrorism, environmental degradation, infectious diseases, poverty and transnational crime.

Q5. What is India’s security strategy mentioned in NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7?
According to NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7, India’s security strategy includes strong defence capabilities, diplomatic cooperation, regional stability and addressing non-traditional security threats.

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