Abstract

edited by Philippe Bourbeau Published by Cambridge University Press, November 2015

Security is a vital subject of study in the twenty-first century and a central theme in many social science disciplines. This volume provides a comparative analysis of the ways in which the concept of security is theorized and studied across different disciplines. The book has two objectives: first, to explore the growing diversity of theories, paradigms, and methods developed to study security; and, second, to initiate a multidisciplinary dialogue about the ontological, epistemological, paradigmatic, and normative aspects of security studies in social sciences. Readers across nine fields are invited to reflect on their conceptualizations of security and to consider how an interdisciplinary dialogue can stimulate and enrich the understanding of security in our contemporary world. Analytically sharp yet easy to read, this is a cutting-edge volume exploring what security is and what it means in today’s world.

The book:

Proposes an innovative and multidisciplinary approach to security Offers a rich and unparalleled understanding of how security is understood and studied within the social sciences with contributions from leading academics in the respective fields Provides a coherent and structured multidisciplinary dialogue on security There will be presentations by Lisa Stampnitzky (Sociology: Security and Insecurities) and Philippe Bourbeau ( A multidisciplinary dialogue on security) on their respective chapters.

All welcome.