| Review of: | Global Security Governance: Competing Perceptions of Security in the 21 |
|---|---|
| Reviewed By: | Jens Ringsmose |
| Reviewed in: | Journal of Common Market Studies |
| Date accepted online: | 02/11/2007 |
| Published in print: | Volume 45, Issue 03, Pages 745-769 |
Book Reviews
The present volume - a collection of thoroughly researched essays empirically grounded on national surveys - is a most welcome and distinct contribution to the study of international security co-operation.
The study is divided into three main parts, each focusing on countries in three different regional contexts (Europe, North America and Eurasia). Two principal puzzles provide the platform for the common analytical framework guiding the individual country studies: what factors facilitate or bar regional security co-operation? Should the major powers seek the ambitious goal of global security co-operation or must they settle instead for the less ambitious task of regional security co-operation?
The first chapter identifies the key areas of divergent and convergent interests among the most important powers that may facilitate or impede international security co-operation. Based on a critical assessment of the current state of security studies, Kirchner finds that three elements are of particular importance when analysing the prospects for increased collaboration between the contemporary world's strongest powers: threat perceptions, the institutional and instrumental preferences shaping national security policies, and national security cultures. If these aspects are synchronized between the major powers - Kirchner and Sperling argue convincingly - the prospects of solid security co-operation are good; and vice versa.
Based on the easily comparable and high standard country studies, Kirchner and Sperling conclude that 'the prospects for effective and institutionalized global security co-operation are poor'. Although the great powers share a common interest in avoiding war, it is unlikely that a more mature and global system of co-operation - a world-wide post-Westphalian system - will materialize any time soon. The major powers do to a great extent share a common understanding of what constitutes the major threats in today's security environment, but they differ widely with regard to the origins of those threats and the preferred responses and ways in which security challenges should be mastered.
In sum, the volume presents a convincing and thought-provoking account of the global security landscape, as well as a persuasive picture of the barriers and facilitators of future security co-operation on a regional and global scale.