The Homeland Security Dilemma Fear, Failure and the Future of American Insecurity

• Main Author: Harvey, Frank P.
• Format: eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Routledge 2008; Taylor and Francis; Taylor & Francis Group
• Edition: 1
• Series: Contemporary Security Studies
• Subjects: American Politics; American Studies; International Security; National security; National security - United States; Security Studies - Pol & Intl Relns; Terrorism; Terrorism & Political Violence; War & Conflict Studies; critical; Security Dilemma; bin; Dubai Ports World; Port Authorities; Homeland Security Dilemma; ports; terrorist; Risk Entrepreneurs; Probability Neglect; Threat Warnings; WMD Report; September 11th Terrorist Attacks; threats; Muslim World; neglect; NATO Troop; Water Park; Li Ne; probability; laden; Pe Rc; NATO's Deployment; Sic; dubai; USA Patriot Act; Overblown Theory; FEMA; Security Entrepreneurs; Federal Aviation Administration; infrastructure; USA Patriot; Oriental Steam Navigation Company; Ta Ge; DXS
• ISBN: 9780415775151; 0415775159; 9780415581585; 0415581583
• DOI: 10.4324/9780203894248

This book explores the paradox of the 'security dilemma' in International Relations, as applied to the post-9/11 context of homeland security. The book's central argument can be summed up by the following counterintuitive thesis: the more security you have, the more security you will need. It argues that enhancing security does not make terrorism more likely, but rather it raises public expectations and amplifies public outrage after subsequent failures. The book contests that this dilemma will continue to shape American, Canadian and British domestic and international security priorities for decades. In exploring the key policy implications resulting from this, the book highlights the difficulty in finding a solution to this paradox, as the most rational and logical policy options are part of the problem. This book will be of interest to students of Homeland Security, Security Studies, US politics, and IR in general.