: Research primarily centered on the state as the main actor and the preservation of national sovereignty.
: Analysis often relied on realist theories, viewing international politics as a struggle for power in an anarchic system. 2. Widening and Deepening the Field
Historically, the field was dominated by during the Cold War.
International Security Studies (ISS) is a major sub-field of International Relations that focuses on organized violence, military conflict, and the protection of states and individuals. A review of this field covers its transition from traditional Cold War-era military strategies to modern, "widened" concerns like human and environmental security. 1. Traditional Foundations
Since the 1990s, scholars have expanded the definition of security beyond military force, a process often called "widening" (new sectors) and "deepening" (new levels).
: Post-colonial and gender-based studies challenge the "Eurocentric" history of the field and highlight the security needs of the Global South. ORIGINS, DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENDING APPROACHES