Security studies 
POLI 70462
Security Studies
Coursework Assignment
2012/13
Convenor: Dr. Cristina Masters
Programme: MA International Politics- International Relations Pathway
Student ID Number: 8353679
Word Count - 3035
Security is impossible. Critically engage?
Introduction-
The sudden terror attack in Boston on 15th April 2013 was a complete shock to the United States that, twelve years after 9/11, was beginning to slip into a relaxed state of complacency. The only apparent threat to national security at the time was the daily threat made by North Korea, which lacked the ability to attack the US mainland. The attack was another reminder of the near impossibility of ensuring ubiquitous security at all times, despite the vast amounts of money spent on homeland security in the last decade. This essay will be examining the success of the US government generally and the Department of Homeland Security specifically in securing the country from terror attacks. If the premise that total security is a myth, what therefore remains to be done to close existing gaps to such an extent that the threat is reduced to an absolute minimum? This essay will especially consider the extent to which security can be assured even with the imposition of radical, non-traditional policies that impinge on civil liberties and the rule of law. It will also be applying the theory of securitization in assessing the success of both the Department of Homeland Security and the general war on terror as well as the convergence/divergence between the theories and practices of security.
Theoretical Perspectives-
It is widely accepted that the US post war foreign policy is based predominantly on the theories of realism. Goldstein and Pevehouse define this theory as “a school of thought that explains international relations in terms of power. (Goldstein and Pevehouse 2009: 43). Realism has arguably been the dominant ideology explaining post war international relations and
Security Studies
Coursework Assignment
2012/13
Convenor: Dr. Cristina Masters
Programme: MA International Politics- International Relations Pathway
Student ID Number: 8353679
Word Count - 3035
Security is impossible. Critically engage?
Introduction-
The sudden terror attack in Boston on 15th April 2013 was a complete shock to the United States that, twelve years after 9/11, was beginning to slip into a relaxed state of complacency. The only apparent threat to national security at the time was the daily threat made by North Korea, which lacked the ability to attack the US mainland. The attack was another reminder of the near impossibility of ensuring ubiquitous security at all times, despite the vast amounts of money spent on homeland security in the last decade. This essay will be examining the success of the US government generally and the Department of Homeland Security specifically in securing the country from terror attacks. If the premise that total security is a myth, what therefore remains to be done to close existing gaps to such an extent that the threat is reduced to an absolute minimum? This essay will especially consider the extent to which security can be assured even with the imposition of radical, non-traditional policies that impinge on civil liberties and the rule of law. It will also be applying the theory of securitization in assessing the success of both the Department of Homeland Security and the general war on terror as well as the convergence/divergence between the theories and practices of security.
Theoretical Perspectives-
It is widely accepted that the US post war foreign policy is based predominantly on the theories of realism. Goldstein and Pevehouse define this theory as “a school of thought that explains international relations in terms of power. (Goldstein and Pevehouse 2009: 43). Realism has arguably been the dominant ideology explaining post war international relations and
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