Security as Politics
Beyond the State of Exception
Published on 3. November 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-4744-5093-5 (ISBN)
Description
Andrew W. Neal argues that while 'security' was once an anti-political 'exception' in liberal democracies - a black box of secret intelligence and military decision-making at the dark heart of the state - it has now become normalised in professional political life. This represents a direct challenge to critical security studies debates and their core assumption that security is a kind of illiberal and undemocratic 'anti-politics'. Using archival research and interviews with politicians, Neal investigates security politics from the 1980s to the present day to show how its meaning and practice have changed over time. In doing so, he develops an original reassessment of the security/politics relationship.
Reviews / Votes
This is a very engaging book that raises a number of important, intriguing and incisive questions about the relationship between security and politics. It is a scholarly, detailed and rigorous analysis, making potentially complicated ideas and theoretical constructs intelligible. This volume is a valuable contribution and a must read for those interested in security studies. * Alistair J.K. Shepherd, Aberystwyth University * Neal's book, Security as Politics, is a valuable contribution to security studies scholarship. Although he discusses heady concepts, the book's organization and Neal's clear writing makes it accessible to a broad audience. I particularly recommend the book to practitioners and those who educate practitioners. -- David P. Oakley * Intelligence and National Security * Security as Politics: Beyond the State of Exception is a "must read" for critical security scholars and practitioners alike. -- Ana Soares * Security Dialogue *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
516 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4744-5093-5 (9781474450935)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2019
1st Edition
Edinburgh University Press
€28.49
Available for download
Person
Andrew W. Neal is a Director of the Centre for Security Research (CeSeR) and Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of Exceptionalism and the Politics of Counter-Terrorism: Liberty, Security, and the War on Terror (Routledge, 2010) . He the editor of Security in a Small Nation: Scotland, Democracy, Politics (Open Book Publishers, 2017); co-editor with Claudia Aradau, Jef Huysmans and Nadine Voelkner of Critical Security Methods (Routledge, 2014); and co-editor with Michael Dillon of Foucault on Politics, Security and War (Palgrave, 2008 and 2011).
Content
1. In Defence of Politics Against Security; 2. How Do We Know Security When We See It? Problematisation as Method; 3. Securitisation and Politicisation; 4. Politicians, Security Politics and the Political Game; 5. Can One Person Make A Difference? Fearless Speech vs. Security Politics; 6. Security as Normal Politics: The Rise of Security in Parliamentary Committees; 7. Security as a Whole Government Project: Risk, Economy, Politics; Conclusion: More Security, More Politics; Bibliography.