04: Security concepts and the field – Papers versus reality

The most modern concepts of security have shifted focus from old-style wars to internal violence, and recognize a much wider range of potential threats and risks to mankind. Europe is often seen as the most ‚modern‘ continent in this sense, since it has largely moved beyond the older dangers to peace and is grappling with the new ones through a unique model of multi-state integration. Yet Europe also offers food for thought on how persistent the phenomena of violence, accidents, mistakes and other human vulnerabilities can be, not least because the human and political drivers behind them change so slowly. It invites reflection on how the finest principles and agreements on security cooperation can be cast aside in the heat of events on the ground, and shaken by brutal episodes like the war in Georgia.

This seminar has a dual focus: on the general evolution of security challenges and the scope for nations to cope with them, both at home and through cooperation: and on the Organization for Security and Coooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a mirror of Europe’s own solved and unsolved security agendas. The two seminar leaders will talk the topics through from basic principles to an up-to-date analysis of European policy options, giving plentiful opportunity for class discussion and interactive work on the way.

DAY ONE

– Teachers‘ introduction: plans, methods and rules of the road
– Defining ’security‘ in the twentieth century: a first overview of concepts and challenges
– The ‚comprehensive‘ security concept of the OSCE, past and present, including an introduction to OSCE’s modes of operation

DAY TWO (AB)

– Three basic methods of security action: intervention, regulation, integration  with critical discussion of strengths, weaknesses and the potential for a discourse/reality gap
– Practical challenges for developing a national  strategy , with special attention to the problems of small states and including a short talk-through exercise

DAY THREE

– Defining the European security agenda today
– Principles, agenda and roles of the OSCE

DAY FOUR

– Presentation and debate on conflict management in the greater Europe, including a scenario exercise

DAY FIVE

– Roles and strategies of other European security institutions (EU, NATO, Council of Europe, sub-regional groups etc); which way is the ’security architecture‘ shifting??
– Europe‘ s role in the world: is there a ‚European strategy‘ or strategic identity?

DAY SIX

– Open debate on the future of OSCE and cooperative security in Europe
– Wrap-up discussion on learnings and personal reactions, including any lessons for Austria