Why is national security important?

Answer 1

The dominant view on national security in international relations theory is the primacy of the security of the state (Jervis 1982) and its sovereignty and territorial integrity and not so much about the lives, liberties and property (Locke) of the citizens whether in India or Pakistan. A maximalist state is what the realist seem to favour rather than a minimalist state where the rights and liberties of the citizens are subservient to the national interests. Security study according to Walt is the study of the threat, use and control of military force (Nye and Lynn-Jones, 1988 quoted in Walt 1991). In the same vein Kumaraswamy also discounts the broadening of security study and prefers to exclude environment, climate change, food security, aids, as that would turn security study intellectually incoherent (Kumaraswamy 2003). In a Hobbesian note Realists argue that Security is assured by Self-Help through power maximization and increased in military capability in an essentially anarchic system through ones' superiority of the military power over that of the perceived opponent (Relative Gains). However, the realists seem to have undermined the security threats coming from the non-state actors. National Security according to the Liberals is secured when there is cooperation and interdependence amongst states in the international system, international organizations and international law. Collective security, common security, cooperative security are some of the methods through which the liberals hope to ensure

Answer 2

National security is how the United States protects the country. The goal is to protect the country from attacks or any other threat against America.

Answer 3

National security is important as it makes sure the security of our country is preserved. For example, national security helps keeps terrorist organizations out of the United States.