Author(s): Oana-Luiza BARBU
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: June 30, 2016
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 15/2016
DOI:
Abstract:
The end of the Cold War prompted the recalibration of the
concept of security, the theoretical debate ending by the assertion of the
multidimensional perspective on security at the international level.
Embracing this new viewpoint on security was imperative for the
Romanian process of democratization. This change entailed also the
need to create a new security culture, a difficult task undertaken too late
by the Romanian authorities, situation caused by the delaying of the
transition process itself, until 1996. Therefore, this paper aims, firstly, to
clarify the concept of security, focusing on how it is defined by academics
at the national level and, secondly, to identify the contribution that the
academic programs of security studies had in spreading the knowledge
and information related to security, essential elements of the formal
dimension of security culture. The lack of research material has imposed
an explanatory and exploratory approach, rather than a critical one, the
analysis being carried out in a multidisciplinary perspective, using both
sociological and educational sciences framework. The analysis results
showed a certain consensus on the level of definition, the security culture
being understood both as a product and as a process. However, during
the first post-communist decade, the security culture was perceived
primarily as a process (of creating a legal and institutional framework),
without taking into consideration the importance of the security culture
as a product embedding democratic values (information, knowledge,
behavior), vital for the functioning of the institutions involved. It’s only
starting from 2010 when we can assert that the theory of
interdependence can be confirmed, because the security culture as a
product and as a process begins to generate itself mutually from its two
aspects, leading to a more open attitude of the society towards security,
a more visible desire for information and a strengthening of the legal
and institutional framework. The introduction of security studies in the
university’s curriculum has contributed and will contribute more
significantly in creating the security culture at national level primarily
through the dissemination of information and knowledge regarding this
field. Also, the security studies programs will lead to the familiarization
of the civil society with the subject and will help in removing the
negative connotations that security has acquired during the communist
regime. Lastly, they will support new emerging professions in the labor
market, by offering the necessary expertise.
Keywords: security culture, security studies, Romania, higher
education, security
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