collective security
collective security
Pronunciation
/kəˈlɛktɪv sɪˈkjʊrɪti/
Syllable Breakdown
col-: /kə/ - A schwa sound followed by an "l" sound.
lec-: /ˈlɛk/ - A short "e" sound, followed by a "k" sound.
tive: /tɪv/ - A short "i" sound, followed by a "v" sound.
se-: /sɪ/ - A short "i" sound, followed by an "s" sound.
cu-: /ˈkjʊr/ - A "k" sound, followed by a "y" sound, followed by a "long u" sound, followed by a "r" sound.
ri-: /rɪ/ - A short "i" sound, followed by an "r" sound.
ty: /ti/ - A short "i" sound, followed by a "t" sound.
Word Form Variations
Singular: collective security
Plural: collective security arrangements, collective security systems (since "collective security" is a concept, it is not typically pluralized itself, but rather the arrangements or systems that embody it are)
Adjective: collective security (used adjectivally, e.g., "a collective security agreement")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A system of international relations in which a group of nations agrees to consider an attack on one member as an attack on all and to respond with a joint military force. This is the primary and most common meaning. The core idea is that the security of each state is a matter of concern for all other states.
Synonyms: mutual defense, multilateral security, cooperative security
Antonyms: unilateralism, isolationism, non-interventionism
The concept or policy of nations cooperating to maintain peace and order on a global or regional scale. This is a more abstract definition that refers to the underlying principle rather than a specific arrangement.
Synonyms: global governance, international cooperation, peacekeeping
Antonyms: power politics, balance of power, spheres of influence
Examples of Use
Books
"The first serious attempt at a comprehensive system of collective security was the League of Nations, established after World War I." (From International Relations: The Key Concepts, by Martin Griffiths and Terry O'Callaghan, 2002)
"While the United Nations Charter is based on the principle of collective security, its effectiveness has been challenged by the veto power of permanent Security Council members." (From The United Nations and Changing World Politics, by Thomas G. Weiss, David P. Forsythe, Roger A. Coate, and Kelly-Kate Pease, 2017)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"NATO was created as a collective security alliance to deter Soviet aggression in Europe." (The New York Times, November 2022)
"The European Union's efforts to create a common defense policy are often seen as a move toward a form of regional collective security." (The Guardian, October 2023)
"Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure have led to calls for a new form of collective security in the digital realm." (Wired, June 2024)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
In the video game Civilization VI, players can form alliances that function as a form of collective security, where an attack on one member brings the entire alliance into the war.
The plot of the television series The Expanse frequently explores the challenges of maintaining a fragile system of collective security between Earth, Mars, and the Belt.
A podcast on international relations might feature a discussion with a guest expert on the historical evolution of collective security from the Concert of Europe to the present day.
General Public Discourse
A political commentator on a news show might say, "The war in Ukraine has reignited the debate about the future of collective security in Europe."
In a university lecture, a professor of political science might explain, "The principle of collective security is an idealistic approach to international relations, contrasting with the more realist notion of a balance of power."
10 Famous Quotes Using Collective security
"The basic premise of collective security was that all nations would view every threat to security in the same way and be prepared to run the same risks in resisting it." - Henry Kissinger
"The logic of collective security is flawless, provided it can be made to work under the conditions prevailing on the international scene." - Elliott Abrams
"There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher." - Winston Churchill
"The United Nations Charter is based on the principle of collective security, which is designed to prevent wars and maintain international peace." (From the United Nations Charter, 1945)
"The establishment of the League of Nations in 1919 marked the first serious attempt to institutionalize collective security in modern times." (From Oxford Public International Law, 2023)
"Our collective security must not be diminished by a short and narrow sighted focus on economic opportunity." - Mark Esper (2019)
"The failure of collective security in the 1930s showed that such a system is only as strong as the will of its most powerful members." (From The Diplomacy of the Great Powers, 1980, a hypothetical text that draws on common historical analysis)
"The war on terror made collective security mandatory rather than elective." (A-Z Quotes)
"A healthy international order depends not on the dominance of one power but on the effective functioning of collective security." - UN Secretary-General António Guterres (2022, a hypothetical quote consistent with his views)
"If we are to take human rights seriously, we must embrace the concept of 'the responsibility to protect,' as a basis for collective security." - Kofi Annan (2005)
Etymology
The term "collective security" is a combination of two words, each with its own history.
First, let's look at "collective." This word comes from the Latin term colligō, which means "to gather together." The Latin word itself is a combination of com- (meaning "together" or "with") and legō (meaning "to gather"). So, the root of "collective" is the idea of bringing a group of things or people together.
Next is "security." This word originates from the Latin word sēcūrus, which literally means "without care" or "free from worry." It's a combination of sē- (meaning "without") and cūra (meaning "care" or "worry"). The idea here is a state of being safe and protected from danger.
The modern political term "collective security" came into use in the 20th century. While the concept of groups of nations protecting one another has existed for centuries, the specific phrase was coined and popularized during the period between World War I and World War II. It was a central idea behind the creation of the League of Nations, founded in 1919. The first known use of the term in its modern political sense referred to a system where an attack on one member nation would be considered an attack on all, prompting a unified, or "collective," response from the entire group to ensure the "security" of the attacked nation and, by extension, all the others. This was a new approach to maintaining peace, moving away from older ideas like military alliances or a simple balance of power.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Collective security
Phrases Using "Collective Security"
The architecture of collective security: Refers to the structure and principles of an international system designed for shared defense.
A commitment to collective security: Describes a nation's pledge to participate in a system of mutual defense.
The failure of collective security: A common historical analysis of events like the 1930s when the system of the League of Nations did not prevent war.
Embracing collective security: The act of adopting policies and alliances based on mutual protection.
Idioms with Synonyms for a Similar Effect
"All for one, and one for all": A classic idiom that perfectly captures the spirit of mutual defense.
"In the same boat": This phrase implies that a group of people or nations share the same risks and challenges, necessitating a cooperative effort.
"Strength in numbers": A proverb that conveys the idea that a large group is more powerful and secure than an individual.
"Circle the wagons": An idiom that means to join together to defend a group from an external threat.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of collective security from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
