National security as a comprehensive notion, state security from the aspect of international law and its political manifesto
Authors: Beti Ejup 
Published: May 2024

Although the perception of state security differs from country to country, it tends to be a single document, addressing at least three basic themes: The role of the state in the international system; the challenges and opportunities perceived inside and outside the country and; the responsibilities of implementation actors to address these challenges and opportunities. The first theme seeks to define the state’s vision for the international system, as well as the role played by the state in that system. This requires to take into account the interests and values of the state, structures, management and decision-making processes. This usually culminates in a long-term vision where the future state and society belong. Another topic is risk assessment, current and future opportunities. In theory this should include both internal and external risks although in practice many National Security Policy focus on external risks and opportunities. Attitudes and preferences are also politically addressed as they connect with international security partners, which can lead to the emergence of opportunities for cooperation.

Historically speaking, national security as a concept is an idea of modern society, the first premises of the concept of national security date back to the 17th century during the Thirty Years’ War in Europe and the Civil War in England. In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia was concluded, in which the foundations were laid for the idea that the nation or state should have control and sovereignty not only in matters of religion, but also in external security. The idea of the nation state is common today, let’s say that all the countries of the world are nation states, however it would be wrong to assume that this is the only way to ensure national security in isolation from international security. The pre-Westphalian international system was based on the assumption that there was a universal principle governing the affairs of states led by emperors, popes, kings and princes. That was indeed the principle of the Holy Roman Empire. This idea was challenged by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), who revived the idea of a universal principle not in the old religious context, but of a secular (non-religious) state inspired by the Enlightenment. National states must subordinate their national interests to universal interests for the common good and be guided by international law. Thus, was born a secular view of the institution of the state over the nation, through which international affairs are managed, which today is reflected in the global worldview of liberalism, internationalism and is more clearly manifested under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). The new idea of the nation state had a different approach. Peace and stability would be better served if people did not kill each other, but were guided by a universal principle. It would be far better to have an international system based on a balance of nation states committed to limited national goals. When we talk about the security components of the state, we need to know what the state actually is and what the security risk factors that threaten it are. In this sense, when it comes to security risks, the biggest threat is aggression. The state is the basic and most important form of organization of any class society. A state is a territory with its inhabitants, which the government holds under its authority in a uniquely compact way. The National Security Policy (NSP) is a framework document that describes how the country provides security for the country and its citizens and is often presented as a generalized document. This document can also be called a plan, strategy, concept or doctrine. NSP has a role for the present and for the future, because it outlines the basic interests of the country and defines guidelines for dealing with risks and current and future opportunities. Of course, NSPs are in a superior hierarchy to other security policies, such as military doctrine, internal security strategy, etc., which deal with agency-based national security or specific issues. The NSP is also distinguished by this policy from a number of topics it deals with and tries to outline both internal and external risks. Finally, it tries to integrate and coordinate the contributions of national security actors in relation to the interests and risks that are considered most important. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, France and China, do not have a separate and unique NSP document, but rely on defense policy or in “white papers” - project policy documents, which focus only on national protection. Many states do not publish their policy documents or do not have written comprehensive policies for security or protection.