POLS 1600 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention, Nuclear Proliferation
31 Aug 2016
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Document Summary
Under the realist paradigm, there are three routes for a state toward security: arming itself, forming or severing alliances with other states, constructing strategies for controlling its destiny through military and coercive diplomacy. Realists assume it is the primary objective of humans and states. Political capacity of one actor to exert influence over another. Power potential: the relative capabilities of a state considered essential to asserting influence over others. Opportunity cost: the sacrifices that result when the decision to select one option means that the opportunity to realize gains from another option is lost. Guns vs butter, national security vs human security. The relative burden of military spending is the ratio of defense spending to gdp. Increased reliance on private military services enhances military capabilities, as it allows governments to conduct operations with fewer troops. This outsourcing includes armed security, equipment maintenance, it services, logistics, and intelligence.
