Question

What is the difference between traditional and non-traditional security? Which category would the creation and sustenance of alliances belong to?

Answer 1

The differences between traditional and non-traditional security are stated below:

Traditional Security	Non-traditional Security
a. The traditional notion of security is concerned with the use or threat of use of military forces and action.	Non-traditional security goes beyond military action and focuses on the other kinds of threats impacting human existence.
b. Such a concept of security basically endangers the certain core values of a nation like sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The use of military action also endangers the lives of citizens residing within its territorial jurisdiction.	It expands the notion of security as it speaks of the security of individuals, of people and of humanity as a whole.
c. The traditional notion of security can be both external, i.e. threat emanating from other counties, or internal, i.e. threats emanating from the groups or regions demanding secessionism.	It is often referred to as human security or global security from the dangers emanating from the new sources or non-state actors.
d. In this case, it is the use of force which is the source of threat as well as the means of attaining peace and security.	It identifies new kinds of threats like terrorism, poverty, human rights violation, human epidemics and migration.
e. The main strategies involved in countering the traditional threats are to defend, to surrender, to prevent an attack, to form alliances, to maintain a balance of power, etc.	The main strategy involved in countering the non-traditional security threats is cooperation among the nation states rather than military action.

The creation and sustenance of alliances would belong to the category of traditional security where countries may form alliances or a coalition to deter or defend an attack, to expand their power and strength and to maintain the balance of power. For example, the Cold War politics resulted in the formation of military alliances by the superpowers as a deterrent strategy against each other’s actions.