Example research essay topic: Security Dilemma As Applied To Greece And Turkey - 1,097 words

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The political concept of the security dilemma can be characterized as, fear of an external enemy or external attack. The problem stems from the fact that there are no purely defensive weapons, and countries that strive solely to defend them selves consequently transform into offensive threats. Therefore, countries striving to attain security from outside threats are driven to stockpile weapons to gain security, this makes other neighbors insecure, and thus the cycle begins again. This vicious cycle of extreme military excessiveness is notably hard to break. Once a country in question has begun to increase its military arsenal, its neighbors logically will do the same not to be left vulnerable. This sequence repeats itself continually until a determining event such, as a war or peace, which will put it to rest.

The security dilemma is the breeding ground for many volatile situations to arise. The "upping the ante" of the military status increases tensions and paranoia in the region (s) in question, allowing costly confrontations to manifest. The countries of Greece and Turkey have a bloody hatred for each other that goes back thousands of years. The Turks ultimately defeated Greece, the treasure of the ancient world, in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople and the Byzantines.

Emperor Constantine I, ruler of the Byzantine Empire, was the former ruler of the Greek city-state of Sparta who inherited the Eastern Roman Empire. He strived to expand Greek culture and influence via his Byzantine Empire, and was extremely successful. The gem of the empire was the capital city of Constantinople that was named for the great ruler. Constantinople was at the crossroads of the known world. It was arguably one of the most important and wealthy cities in history and in its time. With the barbarian invasion of the Turks in 1453, Constantinople was sacked and ultimately the great Byzantine and Greek Empires were defeated.

This plunged the Greeks into an unimaginable four hundred years of slavery under the Turks. Under these four hundred years of occupation and slavery, untold numbers of atrocities were perpetrated upon the Greeks. The Turks were notorious for their treatment of the Greeks. These actions of the Turks left a bitter sentiment in the region, and solidified the Greek spirit for freedom. The Greeks finally revolted and won their freedom and independence on March 25, 1821 after a bloody campaign. This victory did not sit too well with the Turks who were angry at their defeat.

Since then, there have been countless confrontations between the two countries varying in severity and size. Many disputes over territory, ideology, and other issues have thus furthered the animosity and distrust between the two nations. One of these major disputes is over the ancient capital city of Constantinople (now Istanbul) and its Holy church of Agia Sophia, which the Turks desecrated, then turned into a mosque. Another dispute is over the island of Cyprus, which currently remains physically divided down the middle between the Turks and the Greeks.

Obviously, the roots of the conflict between the Greeks and the Turks are very multifaceted ranging from territory disputes, to humanitarian atrocities, and to religious ones. The concept of the security dilemma applies very well to this situation, especially in the present day. In our time of technology, weapons and their quality are key factors in a nations's equity. Moreover, the idea of security to this region in question is a very important factor.

With only the Aegean Sea separating the two mainlands, and as small a distance as only a few miles separating many Greek island from the Turkish coast, security has become a top priority. Furthermore, the four hundred years of injustice, slavery, and antipathy propel the stakes of the security dilemma and its component stockpiling even further. As mentioned above, weapons have become the tools for a nation's security from external attack. This is where the security dilemma comes in to play. The Greeks, feeling the need to protect themselves from the Turks, acquire weapons from the United States and from Russia, to deter and defend a Turkish attack.

The Turks then in turn, also purchase weapons to counterbalance the weapons status of Greece so that they are not vulnerable. The cycle goes on and on in no relative purpose or order, they both just keep stockpiling against the other in the name of security. This stockpiling becomes a problem eventually, because as in classic form, the Turks seem to get "trigger-happy" in endeavors to demonstrate their strength and resolve, and ultimately conflicts arise and innocent lives are lost which only furthers the cycle of the security dilemma. A positively contributing factor to the issue of the security dilemma is the fact that both Greece and Turkey are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

By both these countries being accepted into and pledging to the rules of NATO, this serves as a common ground for these two adversaries. Being a part of NATO has calmed escalations and outbursts to an extent. By being NATO members, they become somewhat regulated in their activities against each other by the rest of the NATO community and by its charter. This serves as a deterrent of sorts to the stockpiling of arms (the "fuse" of the security dilemma) and towards armed or violent confrontations with each other.

In addition, as NATO members, they are consequently players on the same team, which is a previously unimaginable cooperation and relationship between these two countries. In conclusion, it is obvious to understand the accuracy in which the security dilemma explains an important facet in the mounting tensions between Greece and Turkey. As if all the years of hostility and quarrel between these nations were not enough to make matters bad, the notion of stockpiling weapons under the cycle of the security dilemma has definitely pushed the envelope. A nation's need for security is critical to its furthering and to its survival in general. Without a sense of security nothing can be accomplished, this is why the security dilemma has such a magnetic and addictive cycle.

This becomes especially evident with nations that have a history of conflict and dislike between them. Such is the case of Greece and Turkey, since they have historically not been able to get along and posses a deep resentment for one another, the need for security and weaponry is stronger in their minds and in their priorities. With the concept of the security dilemma firmly embedded in the politics and policies of these two counties, it is obvious to see part of the nature of their problems.

Research essay sample on Security Dilemma As Applied To Greece And Turkey