The Main Advantages and Disadvantages of Soft and Hard Security Policies

Authors

  • Bagrat BAGRATYAN Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law of National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24234/wisdom.v31i1.1123

Keywords:

security, international relations, state politics, system, process, strategy, concept, legislation, challenge, philosophy

Abstract

The article highlights the main advantages and disadvantages of security policy as the philosophy of national security. It presents the philosophical basis of national security idea in the context of changing international relations in recent decades, largely driven by globalization, technological advancements, and the emergence of new threats. Ensuring national security, which is already a crucial component of modern foreign policy, is achieved through various practical measures. Among these, two opposing approaches stand out: soft security policy and hard security policy. These approaches play an important role in determining how states respond to threats and what kind of relationships they form with other countries. Soft security policy involves the use of diplomacy, economic, and cultural means to exert influence in the international arena. In contrast, hard security policy is traditionally associated with the use of force, sanctions, and the deployment of military resources to eliminate external threats. Both of these approaches have their strengths and weaknesses, making it essential to assess how they interact with each other and their place in contemporary international relations. The main aim of this article is to provide a fundamental comparative analysis of the two approaches by examining their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

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Published

2025-10-27

How to Cite

BAGRATYAN, B. (2025). The Main Advantages and Disadvantages of Soft and Hard Security Policies. WISDOM, 31(1), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.24234/wisdom.v31i1.1123

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Section

Chair of Young Scientist