REGIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX THEORY: THE SOUTH ASIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

The process of decolonization has introduced complicated adjustments and difficulties to the international order. This has caused scholars in IR to reconsider the global political structure, particularly in light of regional security concerns. There have been three significant developments that have affected security dynamics and regional models. Firstly, regional security has become a priority for superpowers. Secondly, the wars and conflicts in the Third World Region have been perceived as a threat to the international order due to the relationship between geography and anarchy. Thirdly, major powers have recognized the need for regional security arrangements in the Third World and other affected areas. South Asia, with its close geographic and anarchic structure, is particularly susceptible to complex security issues and the transmission of risks between states. This study aims to analyze the intricate network of the South Asian region using the theoretical framework of Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) as proposed by Barry Buzan and Ole Waever. According to their theory, security complexes demonstrate the interdependent nature of rivalry and mutual interests, primarily due to their non-traditional characteristics. RSCT posits that security interdependence tends to form regionally based clusters since most threats are more easily transmitted over short distances compared to longer ones. The focus of this study is to examine the relationships between the states of South Asia and how threats and conflicts could spread within and beyond the region.