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 culture, 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 frameworks. 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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