From International to Internal Cover Image

Od mezinárodní bezpečnosti k vnitrostátní
From International to Internal

A Contribution to the Genesis of the Security Theory and The Concept of Internal Security

Author(s): Kateřina Tvrdá
Subject(s): Security and defense, Applied Sociology, Radical sociology , Penal Policy
Published by: Centrum pro bezpečnostní a strategická studia, o.s.
Keywords: Internal security; homeland security; problem-solving theory; critical security theory;

Summary/Abstract: Internal security and so-called soft threats such as extremism, radicalism, or organizedcrime have not long been considered a legitimate part of security studies as a branchof international relations. The aim of this study is to show how the meaning of internalsecurity has changed in security research. Previously, issues of internal security havebeen discussed mainly as part of criminology, sociology or criminal law, and nowadaysthey are an integral part of security studies. The central part of the study is anintroduction to a wide variety of approaches to internal security - from the traditionalconcept of internal security as an objective state, through a social construct, and adiscourse, to security practice. The paper consists of two parts. Firstly, it focuses onthe genesis of security theory and the emergence of internal (soft) security in the 80'sand related concepts such as Homeland Security, regime security or Innere Sicherheit.The second part presents two main approaches to the research of internal security -problem solving theories and critical security theories - and summarizes their benefitsand limitations.

  • Issue Year: 15/2017
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 16-42
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Czech