Globalization and the Study of International Security Author(S): Victor D
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Globalization and the Study of International Security Author(s): Victor D. Cha Source: Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 37, No. 3 (May, 2000), pp. 391-403 Published by: Sage Publications, Ltd. Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/425352 Accessed: 24-01-2019 15:35 UTC JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at https://about.jstor.org/terms Sage Publications, Ltd. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Journal of Peace Research This content downloaded from 64.28.140.228 on Thu, 24 Jan 2019 15:35:03 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms ? 2000 Journal of Peace Research, lvol 37, no. 3, 2000,pp. REVIEW391-4(03 Sage Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi) ESSAY [0022-3433(200005)37:3; 391-403; 0126321 RS SA k - Globalization and the Study of International Security* VICTOR D. CHA Department of Government and School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University In spite of the plethora of literature on security and globalization, there is relatively little work written by security specialists that interconnects the two. In the case of security studies, this has been in no small part because the field remains entrenched in the 'foodfight' of competing realist, liberal, and construc- tionist research programs. In the case of the globalization literature, it has stemmed from a relatively stronger focus on the social and economic processes of globalization. 'lThis essay explores how the pro- cesses ofglobalization have fundamentally changed the way we think about security. It argues that non- physical security, diversification of threats, and the salience of identity are key effects of globalization in the security realm. Tlhese security effects translate into certain behavioral tendencies in a state's foreign policy that have thus far not been studied in the literature. First, globalization creates an interpenetration of foreign and domestic ('intermestic) issues such that national governments increasingly operate in spaces defined by the intersection of internal and external security. Second, globalization puts unprece- dented bureaucratic innovation pressures on governments in their search for security, and creates multi- lateralist pressures to cooperate with substate and transnational partners rather than traditional allies. Third, globalization makes the calculation of relative capabilities extremely complex and non-linear. Finally, globalization compels contemplation of new modes of fighting as well as renders commonly accepted modes of strategic thinking and rational deterrence increasingly irrelevant. The 'new' security environment in the 21st century will operate increasingly in the space defined by the interpenetration between two spheres: globalization and national identity. Introduction regional peace.1 The former dynamic has been discussed so widely in scholarly and At the threshold of the 21 st century, two top- popular circles that it has reached the ignoble ics have dominated the study of international status of 'buzzword', familiarly used by many relations in the USA: globalization and the to refer to some fuzzy phenomenon or trend 'new' security environment after the end of in the world, but hardly understood by any.2 the Cold War. The latter has been the object This essay explores how the processes of of intense debate, largely dominated by those globalization have fundamentally changed arguing about the relative importance of the way we think about security. In spite of structural, institutional, and cultural variables the plethora of literature on security and for explaining the likelihood of global or 1 'I'he works here are too numerous to mention. See Lebow & Risse-Kappen (1995); Brown (1995, 1996); Katzenstcin (1996b); L,ynn-Jones (1993); Buzan et al. * Thanks to Samuel Kim, Robert I,ieber and Robert (1997b). Gallucci for comments and Balbina Hwang for research 2 For a recent insightful work in the non-academic litera- assistance. ture, see Friedman (1999). 391 This content downloaded from 64.28.140.228 on Thu, 24 Jan 2019 15:35:03 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms 392 journal of PTR A c RES Rm 3s E n A RC H volume 37 / number 3 / maj 2000 globalization, there is relatively little work sovereignty in that sovereign choices have to written by US security specialists that inter- be made to accommodate these interdepend- connects the two. In the case of security ent ties. Globalization processes are not just studies, this has been in no small part about linkages but about interpenetration. because the field remains entrenched in the As Guehenno noted, globalization is defined 'foodfight' of competing realist, liberal, and not just by the ever-expanding connections constructionist research programs. In the between states measured in terms of move- case of the globalization literature, this has ment of goods and capital but the circulation stemmed from a relatively stronger focus andon interpenetration of people and ideas the social and economic processes of globali- (Guehenno, 1999: 7). It affects not only zation. The 'new' security environment in external sovereignty choices but also internal the 21st century will operate increasingly sovereigntyin in terms of relations between the the space defined by the interpenetration public and private sectors (Reinicke, 1997). between two spheres: globalization and Contrary to popular notions of globalization, national identity. this does not mean that sovereignty ceases to exist in the traditional Weberian sense (i.e. monopoly of legitimate authority over citi- Security and Globalization zen and subjects within a given territory). Globalization is best understood as a spatial Instead, globalization is a spatial reorganiza- phenomenon.3 It is not an 'event', but tiona of production, industry, finance, and gradual and ongoing expansion of interac- other areas which causes local decisions to tion processes, forms of organization, and have global repercussions and daily life to be forms of cooperation outside the traditional affected by global events. Comparisons are spaces defined by sovereignty. Activity takes often made between globalization at the end of the 20th century and the period before place in a less localized, less insulated way as World War I when the developed world wit- transcontinental and interregional patterns criss-cross and overlap one another.4 nessed unprecedented high volumes of trade The process of globalization is analytically across borders and movements of capital distinct from interdependence. The latter, as that led to the dissolution of empires and tra- Reinicke states, denotes growth in connec- ditional structures of governance. However, tions and linkages between sovereign enti- these analogies are not accurate because the ties. Interdependence complicates external process of change at the turn of the 20th century was driven by, and had as its final outcome, nationalism and the consolidation 3 Sec Held (1997: 253). As Rosenau (1996: 251) writes, 'It of statehood. A century later, statehood and refers neither to values nor structures but to sequences notions of sovereignty are not so much that unfold either in the mind or behavior, to interaction processes that evolve as people and organizations go under attack by so-called 'globalization about their daily tasks and seek to realize their particular forces' as empires were, but are being modi- goals.' fied and re-oriented by them. In short, the 4 See Mittelman (1994: 427). Or as Goldblatt et al. (1997: nation-state does not end; it is just less in 271) note: 'Globalization denotes a shift in the spatial form and extent of human organization and interaction to control. Activity and decisions for the state a transcontinental or interregional level. It involves a increasingly take place in a post-sovereign stretching of social relations across time and space such space (Reinicke, 1997; Rosenau, 1996). In that day-to-day actixvities are increasingly influenced by this sense, globalization is both a boundary- events happening on the other side of the globe and the practices and decisions of highly localized groups and broadening process and a boundary- institutions can have significant global reverberations.' weakening one (Rosenau, 1996: 251). This content downloaded from 64.28.140.228 on Thu, 24 Jan 2019 15:35:03 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms Victor D. Cha G,LOBALIZATION AND SEC(URIT9'Y 393 Much of the literature on globalization would be discussions on 'rogue' or 'pariah' has focused on its economic rather than states as this term is a function of the end of security implications.5 In part, this is becausethe Cold War; at the same time, however, the the security effects of globalization often spread get of information and technology expo- conflated with changes to the international nentially raises the danger of these threats. security agenda with the end of Cold Similarly,War the end of the Cold War provides Superpower competition.6 It is also because, the permissive condition for the salience of unlike economics where globalization's weapons of mass destruction as the Soviet effects are manifested