An Introduction to the Problematic of Security: Theory- Building in International Relations

Abstract

The paper discusses the problematic of security studies in relation to theory building in international relations.It aims to highlight apertures in the dominant explanations of security studies, and further provides an indication about mending these lacunas. To this end, dominant theories of international relations: Realism, Liberalism, and their progenies have been critically analyzed, and their problematics have been discussed in detail. Through critical analysis of dominant explanations in international relations theory, this paper helps to identify the gaps in the conceptual, methodological, and practical domains of security studies.