Elements of Security

4.0 credits · Undergraduate

This lecture course is an introduction to the systematic study of international security, asking and critically analyzing a series of major puzzles in the field. Why do arms races and wars repeatedly occur, and why is there no world government to resolve these disputes? Why is war between states more common today than at any point since 1945? Why do so many modern wars seem like they have no end in sight? What motivates security competition among major powers, such as the United States, Russia, and China, today? Students will learn about the causes of war, nuclear deterrence, alliances, covert action, and asymmetric warfare, among other topics.