Global Security is an introduction to the emerging field of global security and reflects its growing knowledge base by educating readers about structures and processes that are the most serious threats on a planetary scale. After multiple perspectives in the field are represented in the opening chapter, students are exposed to key concepts and research findings on topics such as armed conflict, transnational crime, cybersecurity, financial crisis, poverty, health, population dynamics, ecosecurity, natural and technological disasters, threats from outer space, and cultural hybridity. The book concludes with an analysis of the prospects for international human rights.

Designed for students at any level who want to familiarize themselves with a set of emerging definitive topics, the backdrop of those topics from various scientific subfields, and directions for future research, this text provides the ideal starting point. The writing is crisp, clear, and to the point. It provides succinct reviews of the literature and lays out the conceptual roadmaps for further study. It shares the best ideas on how certain problems could be prevented, alleviated, or eradicated.

Each chapter features text boxes to summarize key points and support retention, as well as questions to use in classroom discussion or as writing prompts. Designed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing field of study and to serve as a comprehensive introduction to the subject, Global Security is well suited to courses in any discipline that is concerned with international or global affairs.

Thomas Riley O'Connor holds a Ph.D. in criminology with an emphasis on comparative crime and justice systems. A senior professor in criminal justice and homeland security, Dr. O'Connor also serves as the director of global security studies at Austin Peay State University. In addition to his work with the university, he has been a contractor and consultant with elements of the intelligence and defense communities. Dr. O'Connor is also the author of books on terrorism, cybersecurity, and white collar crime.