This week focused on security, which we dealt with through playing Diplomatic Risk and discussing the different aspects of the definition of security. Thinking back on the game, so much of it involved security. Some teams placed a large number of troops in a territory they did not want to lose, and that was their security. Some teams forged alliances. Other teams simply tried to seize every territory possible, in order to expand their influence. Security played into almost every aspect of that game, because no one wanted to be eliminated.
Prof. Jackson stated in class that, if we had wrapped up the game last Thursday, then the blog topic for this past week would have discussed if there was anything that was not security. Personally, in thinking about it, I have a hard time coming up with anything that could not be labeled security. Depending on the country (and the IR theory that one personally adheres to) almost anything could be considered security. Security is the military strength and capability that we possess, both in resources and in people. That is probably the most obvious one. It is also the countries we choose to align with, and the countries that we have no business with. Alliances make up a very important part, both because they contribute money and resources when we are threatened, but also because it spreads the influence of the country over a wider realm, and could have many other benefits, including legitimizing a country and gaining soft power, another form of security.
Not everything is security in every situation, but I could not think of anything that is never security. This week really broadened my understanding of security as a whole, as well as the many different forms it takes.
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