Timescapes of security: Clocks, clouds, and the complexity of security governance

Emilian Kavalski

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article pulls together the disjointed complexification of security studies. Such analytical overview suggests that the perspective of "timescapes" allows for exploring the complexity that shapes meanings and practices of security and its governance. In this respect, it is the imperative to change that suggests the significance of complexity thinking to security studies-that is, it is alone in taking the discontinuities of global life seriously. Security, in this regard, is not merely about the clockwork of survival, but is redefined through the cloudlike adaptive contingency of "security as resilience." In this setting, the security governance of complexity is identified through its dancing to the timescaped rhythms of uncertainty, cognitive challenges, complex risks, and exaptation prompted by the heterogeneity of global life.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)527-551
Number of pages25
JournalWorld Futures
Volume65
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adaptation/exaptation
  • Cognitive challenge
  • Complex risks
  • Complexity thinking
  • Global life
  • Negative capability
  • Resilience
  • Security governance
  • Timescapes
  • Uncertainty

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy

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