Security in transition: The case of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia

This dissertation makes use of Barry Buzan's framework for understanding national security as outlined in People, States and Fear (1991) to address the issue of redefining security in the post-Cold War era. According to Buzan, a comprehensive definition of security must include not only traditional external threats to states, but also internal and economic security concerns. By examining Buzan's conceptualization of security in the context of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this dissertation explores the impact of state disintegration on security as well as determines the utility of Buzan's framework. The study finds that the break-up of Czechoslovakia did not necessarily eliminate or reinforce insecurities in the independent Czech Republic and Slovakia. Each of the three aspects of security described by Buzan were not equally important for assessing the relative security of each state, yet, no clear pattern emerged to indicate that one or more aspects of the framework was dispensable. While Buzan's framework did not have predictive value, its comprehensive nature contributed to a more accurate portrait of the security concerns facing particular states. Buzan's conceptualization of regional subsystems further contributed to a broadened understanding of security. Buzan's framework has been criticized for equating liberalism with increased economic security and for failing to consider the security implications of state location within a security complex. Future research can benefit from an examination of the relationship between individual leadership and state security. Finally, an examination of Czechoslovakia's Velvet Divorce may itself provide important information for understanding the nature of security in the independent Czech Republic and Slovakia.